MICHELLE Keegan has quit BBC1 drama Our Girl after four years.
The ex-Coronation Street star, 32, will bow out of the hit show, which sees her play British Army medic GeorgieLane, with a final series later this year.
The Stockport-born actress has left in a bid to pursue new acting jobs and plans to spend more time at home in the UK after her husband Mark Wright, also 32, moved back from Los Angeles last year, where he was working on US TV.
She had previously spent several months each year filming in far-flung locations including South Africa, Nepal and Malaysia.
Michelle told the Sun: Ive had the most incredible four years on the show and I want to thank the BBC for giving me such an amazing opportunity.
Playing Georgie has been a life changing role for me. Ive loved every second of the adventure so it was a very hard decision to make not to return. I feel it is the right time to explore other exciting opportunities but Im so happy to be part of the new series coming soon so its not the end just yet.
Michelle Keegan’s decision comes as husband Mark Wright moved back from Los Angeles last year
Producers are currently looking for another female to play the lead in the hit series, which starred former EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, 31, for its first run in 2014.
Michelle spent much of last year shooting her third series of the drama and more recently has shot a second series of Sky1 comedy Brassic and continued her lucrative clothing deal with online retailer Very.
The actress, who wed telly host Mark in 2015, will now be freed up to spend more time near their home in Essex.
But last year she revealed she was sick of everybodys obsession with her becoming a mum in the near future, including from her friends and family.
Michelle Keegan says she ‘had the most incredible four years’ on Our Girl
She said: Its horrible. Its like, Youre 32. Are you not planning to have a baby yet?
They dont know the background of whats happening. Its no one elses business. In this day and age you shouldnt ask questions like that.
I get so frustrated. Im asked purely because Im a woman. But Im immune to it now its like a reaction and as soon as I hear it I brush it off, as its no one elses business.
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