EASTENDERS fans are in shock at Nancy Carter leaving the Square after actress Maddy Hill quit the soap.
The personal trainer decided to flee Walford for a new life in Manchester after boyfriend Zack Hudson cheated on her.
EastEnders’ Nancy has also been struggling with her mum Linda’s alcoholism.
In tonight’s episode she revealed she was leaving Walford for good after securing a new job in a gym with her brother Johnny’s friend in Manchester.
While grandmother Shirley was too devastated to say goodbye, Nancy’s dad Mick and sister Frankie crowded around her to wave her off.
She got into the cab in tears as she spotted her mum watching with baby Annie from across the Square.
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The exit came as a shock for fans – with actress Maddy only returning to the show last year.
One viewer tweeted: “Well that was a surprise didn’t think Nancy was actually leaving again. #EastEnders.”
A second added: “Is this the last we seen of nancy!! #EastEnders.”
While a third commented: “#EastEnders So… Nancy was only back for a year and two months? Well that was a pointless return wasn’t it? 
.”
But the Sun can confirm that it is a final exit for the character.
Actress Maddy told HOAR: “It’s been great revisiting Nancy and the Square over the past year but it felt like the right time to move on for now.
“I already miss everyone and feel so grateful to work with people I have so much love for.”
An EastEnders spokeswoman added: “We wish Maddy all the very best for the future”.
Her on-screen dad Danny Dyer will leave the soap this Christmas in an explosive storyline.
And HOAR revealed earlier this month how actress Dannielle Harold had been left devastated by the news she was being axed.
We also confirmed that four other actors are leaving the show – with Ricky Champ departing after four years playing Stuart Highway.
He will be joined by Dayle Hudson, who has played Ian Beale’s son Peter since 2020.
Dana Monroe actress Barbara Smith will also leave alongside Jada Lennox star Kelsey Calladine-Smith.
A source said: “Whenever a new boss comes in there’s always going to be big changes and it’s no different with Chris.
“He’s been working hard behind the scenes since January and is really planning to shake things up which means saying goodbye to some characters.
“It’s nothing personal to any of the cast going, it’s simply a creative decision – for big storylines to happen you have to say goodbye people, that’s the nature of soap.
“Chris has some really big stories planned and viewers will see his stuff starting to air over the summer.
“He’s really keen to take the show back to its roots, build up the clans again with some big explosive long running stories. It’s an exciting time to be on the show.”
