EASTENDERS’ Albert Square has been home for this actress who has walked through Walford for the past 13 years.
After quitting EastEnders this month, the star – who joined when she was a schoolgirl – posted a montage of throwback snaps to her Instagram grid.
Yet can you work out who the flame-haired tot, now aged 20, is?
She captioned her trip down memory lane with the words: “Wow.
“Eastenders you have been a dream 
lotta tears, lotta laughs and a whole lotta love.
“Episode 685 complete.”
Loyal fans of the BBC One soap will recognise the cheeky smile of the youngster, being cuddled by her current co-star Shona McGarty, and her striking hair colour.
It is indeed actress and Strictly Come Dancing favourite Maisie Smith, who was six-years-old when she joined the BBC One soap as Tiffany Butcher in 2008.
SHOCK EXIT
After HOAR exclusively revealed how the actress was gearing up to quit after being inundated with big money offers, Maisie spoke out.
- Visit our EastEnders page for the latest gossip
- Find all EastEnders spoilers here
She said: “It’s time to say farewell to Tiff! I’ve grown up on EastEnders since 2008, and have learnt from the best over the past 13 years.
“I’m very excited for my next challenge and thank the BBC for the opportunity they gave me as a six-year-old.”
EastEnders’ Executive Producer Jon Sen added: “We are all very sad to see Maisie leave.
“She’s been a wonderful company member during her time at EastEnders and it’s been a privilege to see her blossom into the star she is.
“She has created an iconic character in Tiff and the door is always open to her return.
“We wish her all the very best for her future projects.”
Insiders told HOAR Maisie, 19, chose not to renew her contract this month as she looked to pursue other opportunities.
In her time on the soap Tiffany has been involved in a number of big storylines, including a shock grooming scandal in 2019.
FINAL SCENES
EastEnders fans confessed they were left “sobbing” as Tiffany’s exit scenes played out last week.
Her latest storyline has seen her split from husband Keegan and begin a new relationship with far right thug Aaron while preparing for divorce.
Now, Tiffany has walked away from Albert Square for good, heading to the airport with her brother Liam in preparation for a move to Germany.
Maisie’s character Tiffany had spent the night with Keegan after they were briefly reunited, as they both wrestled with their feelings for each other.
Nonetheless, she was adamant that it would be best to wave goodbye to her life in the UK, telling pal Whitney Dean, played by Shona McGarty, she was leaving.
Her final scenes saw her standing outside Walford’s tube station in floods of tears as she waited for her husband to come and chase after her, but to no avail.
She had written an emotional love letter to her childhood sweetheart begging him to run to her should he truly want her to stay behind with him.
Little did she know that brother Liam had thrown away the letter, and instead placed the signed divorce papers and Keegan’s necklace inside the envelope.
As Keegan sobbed back on the Square, Tiffany was seen descending into the train station as a Christmas choir sang carols in the background.
Fans were overcome with emotion at the final scenes – and took to social media to admit they had been left “sobbing” at Maisie’s departure.
“Not me catching up on EastEnders over a takeaway sobbing at Tiff leaving,” one fan wrote, as a second agreed: “I’m actually sobbing at EastEnders.”
“I’m sobbing and shaking and crying,” a third chimed in, as a fourth concurred: “Just had a proper cry as Tiffany departed.”
