EXCLUSIVE: EASTENDERS Star Clair Norris OPENS UP On SHOCK Departure And What REALLY Happened Behind The Scenes

EASTENDERS legend has broken her silence after being sensationally axed from the soap.

The actress, who has been on the Square for eight years, shared her emotional reaction with fans after her final scenes aired.

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Clair Norris opened up about her exit after reuniting with the cast and crew at the British Soap AwardsCredit: Getty

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The soap’s new boss Ben Wadey axed her character Bernie TaylorCredit: Getty

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Bernie was the last member of the Taylor family on the showCredit: BBC
The fan favourite, played by Clair Norris, bowed out as Bernie Taylor in a heart-breaking twist after nearly a decade in Albert Square.

Her final scenes saw Bernie say an emotional goodbye to Walford, leaving fans gutted over her unexpected exit – and speculating over whether it’s really the last we’ll see of her.

The 27-year-old joined her fellow castmates at this year’s British Soap Awards – where the EastEnders won a total of 8 awards.

This included wins for Best British Soap, Best Single Episode and Scene of the Year for Angie Watts’ surprise return.

Glammed up in a gorgeous teal dress, Clair posted a photos of herself on the red carpet on Instagram.

She wrote in the caption: “My last @thebritishsoapawards with my EE family. We [broom emoji] up last night, 8 awards & I couldn’t be prouder to be apart of this team! What a way to end this amazing journey, head held high & beaming from ear to ear.”

Clair was supported by both fans as colleagues in her post, with James Farrar, who plays Zack Hudson writing: “Head held HIGH”.

Emma Barton, who plays Honey Mitchell, commented: “Love you”.

And Elijah Holloway, who plays Harry Mitchell, said: “We looked lovely didn’t we.”

The BBC soap has been going through a transition stage with new producer Ben Wadey taking over.

Coronation Street and Emmerdale humiliated at British Soap Awards as rival soap wins EIGHT gongs

The Sun revealed the beloved character’s exit back in May.

However, it didn’t come as a surprise to star Clair as she said: “Every time a soap gets a new boss they want to make their own changes – it’s nothing personal.

“The writing has been on the wall for Bernie for some time so it wasn’t really a surprise to Clair.

“She was the last Taylor standing and it’s time to close the chapter on them and let Clair go on to do other things.”

British Soap Awards 2025: Winners List

Here’s who took home trophys at the 2025 British Soap Awards

Best Single Episode – Eastenders: Phil’s Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985

Best Young Performer – Emmerdale

Scene Of The Year – Eastenders: Angie Watts’ Shock Return

Best Newcomer – Hollyoaks: Isabelle Smith as Frankie Osborne

Villain Of The Year – Eastenders: Navin Chowdhry as Nish Panesar

Best Family – Hollyoaks: The Osbornes

Best Dramatic Performance – Eastenders: Steve McFadden as Phil
Mitchell

Best On-Screen Partnership – Eastenders: Rudolph Walker & Angela
Wynter as Patrick & Yolande Trueman

Outstanding Achievement Award – Coronation Street: David Neilson

Best Comedy Performance – Eastenders: Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson

The Tony Warren Award – Emmerdale: Mike Plant

Best Storyline – Hollyoaks: Sibling Sexual Abuse

Best Leading Performer – Eastenders: Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater

Best British Soap – Eastenders

Bernie first arrived in Walford in 2017 alongside mum Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) and brother Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters).

However, she’s the last one of her family members left on the Square with her mum Karen leaving EastEnders in 2023, shortly followed by the murder of her brother Keanu on Christmas Day.

While the Taylors are be gone, the Branning family is getting a boost.

Actor Jake Wood is returning to the show as Max Branning after a four year absence.

And he won’t be returning alone.

The BBC soap is set to begin rebuilding one of its main families with the Brannings to take centre stage once more.

Max’s comeback will also see his son Oscar arrive in Walford for the first time since 2017 – and he’s being played by a brand new recast.

Actor Pierre Moullier will play the now teenage Oscar taking over the role from Charlee Hall who last appeared in eight years ago.

A source said: “It is an exceptional bout of casting – Pierre looks more like a younger Jake than Jake did himself. It’s uncanny.

“He’s going to bring something new to Oscar and the character will definitely set the cat amongst the pigeons in the Square.”

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Jake Wood is making a shock return as loverat Max BranningCredit: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes

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Oscar Branning was last seen in 2017 in EastEnders – but is now returningCredit: BBC

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Actor Pierre Moullier is playing Oscar for his comebackCredit: ISO