EastEnders stars leaving BBC soap in 2025 - and rumoured returns

The 40th anniversary of BBC soap EastEnders is coming up in February, meaning there's some big drama ahead in Albert Square.

There's already been some teasers about what's to come, with a live episode scheduled, where the audience will have the power to decide the outcome of a love triangle storyline involving Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Jack Branning (Scott Malsen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara).

The coincide with the hit soap celebrating four decades on-air, there will also be some characters returning and departing. Here, we take a look at the confirmed arrivals and exits coming up in EastEnders, as well as those rumoured to be making a comeback.

One character who will be exiting Walford at somepoint in 2025 is Stacey Slater, played by actress Lacey Turner.

Details surrounding Stacey's departure are yet to be shared by soap bosses, but Lacey has confirmed she's pregnant with her third child with husband Matt, meaning she will be heading off on maternity leave shortly.

Stacey has been left heartbroken after her hopes of reuniting with ex Martin Fowler (James Bye) were scuppered, after the return of his ex Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton). Could she be set to exit Albert Square in the wake of Martin and Ruby's reunion?

It was the news every EastEnders fan had been waiting for, and the soap has finally confirmed Grant Mitchell is coming back to Walford.

Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as Phil's brother for a brief stint this year to mark the soap's 40th anniversary. Details surrounding Grant's return storyline remain underwraps, but with his brother struggling, new Mitchells having arrived on the Square, and the return of Nigel Bates, it looks like it'll be action-packed.

Speaking on his return, Ross said: “I’m