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Both Queen Camilla and King Charles are featured in the new royal whodunnit, written by Peter James, whom Her Majesty has openly named as her favourite crime author

Queen Camilla, pictured greeting crowds in Rome this year, has a leading role in their own royal whodunnit(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Queen Camilla is to star in her favourite author’s latest murder mystery – and has even helped with the plot.

Her Majesty, 77, has a central role in The Hawk Is Dead: A Killer In The Palace, which sees a detective investigate a murder at Buckingham Palace. Camilla has openly named the author, Peter James, as her top crime writer and forged a friendship with him in the past 10 years.

It is said Camilla is “thrilled” to have a leading role in the book, due for release in October, written some time after the Queen Consort had suggested her friend set his legendary Brighton-based detective’s latest case in London. His books have been made into an ITV drama series Grace, staring John Simm as the eponymous detective superintendent.

“Fortunately, no one is likely to be more thrilled to find themselves taking a leading role in their own royal whodunnit than Her Majesty,” writes Daily Mail’s royal editor, Rebecca English, in today’s publication.

Camilla is pictured on the set of Grace with Peter James(Image: PA)

King Charles also features in the book, which tells the tale of a detective exploring what they believe to be a assassination attempt at Buckingham Palace. Publishers Pan Macmillan said: “Opening with a cinematic derailment of the Royal Train, The Hawk Is Dead takes Roy Grace deep into the heart of Buckingham Palace, where he is called upon to solve a murder and what looks to be a royal assassination attempt.”

“Queen Camilla, a well-known book lover and reading champion through her charity The Queen’s Reading Room, has always been one of the first people to receive each Grace novel and is excited to have a starring role, alongside King Charles, in Peter’s latest thriller.”

Her Majesty has already had a sneak peakat the novel, it is understood. Peter, 76 and who has several Sunday Times No 1 bestsellers to his name, was “moved to tears” by Camilla’s recent nomination of Grace as her favourite detective.

Speaking in a recent interview, Peter, who was raised in East Sussex, said: “I came up with an idea, which I ran by Her Majesty and she loved it. Throughout writing, during which I’ve done extensive behind-the-scenes research at the Palace, I have received invaluable insights from the Royal Household, including Her Majesty.”

The pair have developed a firm but unlikely friendship and, in 2021, Her Majesty visited the set of Grace, the fifth series of which has just aired on ITV. A sixth series of the drama is already in production.

Insiders told the Daily Mail “any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental” when asked about Peter’s new book. Buckingham Palace declined to comment to the publication.

Madeleine has been missing for 18 years

Susanna Reid brought Good Morning Britain to a halt to share some breaking news about Madeleine McCann today (Tuesday, June 3).

The search for Madeleine has been ongoing since her disappearance back in 2007 when she was three years old.

Susanna crossed live to Portugal during today’s show (Credit: ITV)
During today’s edition of Good Morning Britain, Susanna was forced to bring the show to a stop for some breaking news.

The star, 54, announced that the show was going straight to Chief Correspondent Richard Gaisford for an update on the Madeleine McCann case.

Richard was in Portugal to announce that 30 German police officers, including forensic experts, who are investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, are going to begin a fresh and extensive search in Portugal today.

Police believe they have identified an area between the hotel where the McCann family was staying and a property connected to the suspect Christian Brueckner.

“Richard, it’s all about to begin again. Are the police acting on new information do you know?” Susanna asked.

“Well that’s what we don’t know, but as you’ve already reported Susanna, they are here in force and ready to start what is an extensive search,” Richard replied.

Madeleine’s 22nd birthday was last month (Credit: SplashNews.com)

‘The land is associated with Brueckner’

Richard then continued, saying: “I’ve just been speaking with the Portuguese police officers who are guarding this particular scene just outside. Telling me they’re expecting this search to start here in the next hour or two.

They’re expecting this search to start here in the next hour or two.

“German police have applied for a European investigation order, they will arrive here at the scene with a judicial warrant. The land owner can do nothing about that but sit back and watch and see what develops,” he then said.

“They are looking at land associated in some way with Christian Brueckner, who the German police believe is the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. He is currently in jail in Germany. That is in relation to the rape of an elderly woman in Praia da Luz. He was living in Praia da Luz or around Praia da Luz at the time that Madeleine disappeared 18 years ago,” he then continued.

Richard then said that the Metropolitan Police are not involved, but will provide support if needed. He then added that the Met has been given another £100,000 by the government to continue investigating the case.

Kate and Gerry have been searching for 18 years (Credit: CoverImages.com)

Kate and Gerry mark 18 years since Madeleine’s disappearance

Last month saw Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann mark the 18th anniversary of her disappearance.

In a brief message, they vowed they would keep searching for her.

“No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day,” they said.

“We continue to ‘celebrate’ her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her.”

Denise spoke about the support she extended to the family on Loose Women today

Denise Welch faced backlash over her comments on Loose Women today while discussing a heartfelt gesture she made for Madeleine McCann’s family.

The search for Madeleine McCann has been ongoing since she disappeared back in 2007, when she was aged just three. On Loose Women today (June 3), the panel were discussing the latest breaking news as a new search for the missing girl gets underway in Portugal.

Police have revealed they have identified a new area of land – linked to prime suspect Christian Brueckner – to search. They are expected to use ground-penetrating radar after receiving a ‘tip-off’. It’s thought the search will run until the end of the week and experts will also drain two wells during the search.

Today, while they were talking about the case, Denise Welch revealed she once tried to make a kind gesture to Madeleine’s family.

Denise offered Madeleine’s family tickets to Dancing On Ice (Credit: ITV)

Denise Welch reveals gesture to family of Madeleine McCann

Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann also have younger twins, Amelie and Sean, who have gone through a lot in their lives. So Denise explained that she wanted to help in any way she could.

The Loose Women star told how she’d spoken to Susan Healy, Madeleine’s grandmother. The 67 year old previously revealed Susan had reached out to her to thank her for comments she made on TV supporting the family.

And it turns out that, after this, she invited the family to watch her perform on Dancing On Ice back in 2011 – but got a letter back to say they wouldn’t be there.

Speaking about the kind gesture today, Denise admitted she knew that the twins were “big fans” of the show, and wanted to do something nice for them.

She said: “When I was doing Dancing On Ice, I had heard, because we talked a lot about the McCanns and support of them on this show, I knew the twins were big fans of Dancing On Ice. So I had invited them. Because I had been in contact with the grandma before.”

But in return, Denise received a letter from Susan, revealing the reason why they wouldn’t be in attendance.

Denise said: “She wrote to me and said: ‘Gerry and Kate would absolutely love to bring the kids. But unfortunately if they are seen smiling or laughing in public, the hate that they get is so horrendous that they no longer go out or try to be seen in public.”

Denise has faced cruel backlash online (Credit: ITV)

Denise faces backlash over comments

Despite trying to do something nice, Denise has been cruelly trolled online. And many accused her of making the whole thing about her.

Taking to X, one said: “Oh of course Den making the McCann story about her.”

Another added: “Watch Denise make this all about herself!” to which another responded: “She’s doing just that.”

“Denise putting on a fake concerned voice,” another troll wrote.

A user penned: “Denise, Denise, Denise! Boring!”

However, others praised the panelist. After she hit out at the treatment of Kate and Gerry McCann, one viewer tweeted: “I rarely agree with Denise, but I do on this one.”

The Chase has been cancelled as an ITV shakeup sees the game show taken off air tonight (June 3).

ITV fans are used to tuning in every weekday at 5pm to see Bradley Walsh host the game show. Each night, a Chaser goes head-to-head with a team of four contestants as they try and win a large sum of cash.

And while it’s usually like clockwork on ITV1, tonight sees a huge change that means The Chase will not be on air.

The Chase will not air tonight as the Lionesses steal Bradley’s spot (Credit: ITV)

Is The Chase on tonight?

If you’re planning on tuning in to watch The Chase at 5pm tonight on ITV, then you will be disappointed to learn that it isn’t actually on.

ITV has shaken up its usual schedule, meaning everything that is usually on between 5pm and 8.20pm has been moved. All of this evening shows, including the soaps, have been taken off air. However, Tipping Point fans can rejoice as the new schedule doesn’t affect their nightly Ben Shephard fix.

Instead, the ITV Evening News will air at 5pm up until 5.30pm. Then, the rest of the evening will be filled by the Spain vs England Women’s Nations League football match.

Coverage of the match begins at 5.30pm, but the Lionesses don’t kick-off until 6pm.

The Chase will be back tomorrow (Credit: ITV)

When will The Chase be back on ITV after being cancelled?

Luckily for fans, this is a one-time thing (well… until another football match forces it off).

Normal programming returns to ITV1 tomorrow (June 4), with Bradley Walsh leading another four contestants as they attempt to win big against one of the six Chasers on the fan-favourite quiz show.

An intruder was quickly detained by police after he is said to have climbed over the wall to get into Windsor Castle on a day when the Prince and Princess of Wales were at home with their children near by

The Prince and Princess of Wales(Image: PA)

An intruder sparked a royal security scare after they allegedly broke into the grounds of Windsor Castle. The man is said to have climbed over the wall to get in the castle grounds on Sunday before he was quickly detained by officers from the Metropolitan Police, which is responsible for security at the royal residence.

A man in his 30s was then handed over to the local police force, Thames Valley, before being arrested on suspicion of trespass and possession of a Class A drug. It has been reported that the Prince and Princess of Wales, were at their Adelaide Cottage home on the Windsor estate at the time with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. However, as the intruder is said to have entered the grounds near Town Gate, it was some distance away from the royals’ home.

A man in his 30s was arrested after the incident at Windsor Castle(Image: Pawel Libera via Getty Images)

The man is also said to have not entered the inner buildings of Windsor Castle. A source told The Sun: “He broke into the castle near Town Gate and was quickly detained by police. It was a crazy thing to do and caused quite a stir but at this stage it appears there was no intent to cause any serious harm.”

A Met Police spokesperson said: “A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of trespass on a protected site and possession of Class A drugs after entering restricted grounds at Windsor Castle.

“Officers in the grounds spotted the man just after 13:00hrs on Sunday, 1 June and quickly arrested him. He was then passed into the custody of Thames Valley Police.”

Meanwhile, Thames Valley Police, said: “At just after 1pm on Sunday 1 June a man entered restricted grounds at Windsor Castle.He was quickly challenged by Met police officers and arrested. He did not enter the inner grounds of Windsor Castle.

“He was arrested on suspicion of trespass on a secure site and possession of class A drugs. He has been bailed and an investigation is ongoing by Thames Valley Police.”

Just last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales suffered another terrifying security breach after masked intruders allegedly smashed down a barrier and scaled a six-foot fence to get access to the Windsor Castle estate.

The two men allegedly broke into the estate during the night to steal farm vehicles before driving off in a pick-up truck and on a quad bike that had been stored in a barn on October 13.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were not at the residence at the time, but William and Kate were believed to be sleeping at nearby Adelaide Cottage with their three children.

Adelaide Cottage is nestled in the heart of the 655-acre Windsor estate and is extremely close to Windsor Castle. This means the Waleses can pretty much pop in to see King Charles when he is in residence at the castle with relative ease.

Singer Jessie J has announced she has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

The Price Tag hitmaker, who used to be a judge on The Voice UK, found out about her diagnosis shortly before dropping her single, No Secrets, in April. It was her first release in four years. She also recently performed at the TV BAFTAs.

During her time away, Jessie, 37, welcomed her first child, son Sky, with boyfriend Chanan Safir Colman in 2023.

Jessie J has revealed she has early-stage breast cancer (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Jessie J reveals she has breast cancer

In an Instagram video shared during the early hours of Wednesday (June 4), the Grammy Award-nominated star admitted she had been “going back and forth a little bit on whether to share” the news with fans.

“I want to but there’s lots of opinions outside,” Jessie said, adding: “Also knowing that I want to share with my fans and the people that care about me, also I’m a sharer. I’ve always shared everything that I go through in my life.”

Jessie explained she was “diagnosed with early breast cancer” when No Secrets was released, stating: “Cancer sucks in any form but I’m holding onto the word early.”

She continued: “I have been in and out of tests throughout this whole period,” sharing that she had not been “processing it because I’m working so hard”.

Jessie will have surgery following her Summertime Ball appearance (Credit: Splashnews.com)
Describing herself as an “open book”, Jessie admitted it “breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much, similar and worse”, adding: “That’s the bit that kills me.”

“I just wanted to let you guys know it wasn’t something I planned. I’m getting to keep my nipples. That’s good, it’s a weird topic and a weird situation.”

It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job.

Next Sunday (June 15), Jessie will perform at Wembley Stadium for the Capital FM Summertime Ball. Following her performance, she revealed she will “disappear” to have surgery.

“It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job,” she said, joking that she will return with “massive [bleep]s and more music”.

“Your girl needs a hug. Also not getting massive [bleep]s. Or am I? No no.. I must stop joking?” Jessie wrote in her caption.

‘I’m praying for you’

Jessie’s showbiz pals rushed to the comments section following the news and shared their support.

“Sending you so much love,” Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock wrote.

“Sending all the love J,” Leona Lewis added.

“We love you so much,” Rochelle Humes expressed.

“Sending you so much love and enormous hugs,” Gaby Roslin shared.

“You’re literally my favourite person and I’m praying for you you’ve got this. my mother had it and I know the surgery and any treatment on this matter is mentally tough so I’m here for you. X,” Rita Ora said.

Lorraine presenter Tyler West discussed Brooklyn Beckham’s recent interview with Glamour on ITV this morning

Tyler West has shared the real reason he believes Brooklyn Beckham didn’t address the mounting tension between his family and wife Nicola Peltz in the couple’s recent interview for Glamour magazine. The Lorraine presenter pointed out that it was “understandable” there was no mention of the rift, saying: “I mean no mention of the parents at all because it’s an interview about them.”

This comes after Brooklyn’s recent pointed comments that he will “always choose” his wife as he has reportedly hired Prince Harry’s lawyers amid a huge fallout with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham. Brooklyn, 26, and actress Nicola, 30, caused a furore during their recent joint interview, where they addressed their life in the spotlight amid the family drama.

A Lorraine presenter has shared his opinion on why Brooklyn Beckham didn’t address the feud with his parents in a recent interview with his wife ( 
Image:
Instagram)
But many noted that despite cryptic references to “telling the truth” and their “overwhelming wedding day”, there was a glaring omission of any mention of Brooklyn’s famous parents.

After Tyler’s explanation of this choice on Lorraine, his co-host Rose also pointed out that the interview was conducted before tensions seemed to erupt more publicly.

Ranvir Singh chimed in after Tyler pointed out that Brooklyn said the name for his hot sauce brand, which was originally thought to be a tribute to David’s iconic No. 23 shirt, represents his engagement date and wife’s age at the time. She joked: “Awkward pivot!”

Rumours of a rift between the Beckhams and their eldest son have circulated since tensions were allegedly sparked over a wedding dress dispute, when Nicola chose a $3 million Valentino gown over a Victoria Beckham design for their Florida wedding in 2022. The actress claimed this is because she was “ghosted” by the former Spice girl when she asked her to design the dress.

Now, sources claim Brooklyn and Nicola have cut contact altogether with his family, although someone close to the couple has denied this to the Mirror, saying the distance came from David and Victoria’s end.

The insider said: “if anything, David and Victoria seem to have wanted the distancing since Nicola has made plenty of positive gestures like wearing Victoria’s clothes over the years, but somehow she and Brooklyn get all the criticism in the relationship.

“It’s understandable that there would be some natural distancing after years and years of being on the receiving end of unnecessary attacks and untruths.”

The couple’s absence from David’s star-studded 50th birthday party last month fuelled rumours of a serious divide. Brooklyn went on to post a photo of him with Nicola on a motorbike with the cryptic caption “I’ll always choose you baby”, which some have interpreted as a comment on the family situation.

Some followers criticised him for the post, saying: “Real love doesn’t make you choose.” Meanwhile, his younger brother Cruz appeared to respond by sharing a throwback family photo with Brooklyn included, writing: “I love my family, I love you guys more than anything, mum & dad, you gave us life and cared for us no matter what.”

Prince Harry’s feud with his father King Charles has gone from bad to worse following Harry’s extraordinary outburst in a BBC interview – and now palace insiders have revealed one of the reasons why the monarch is unlikely to make first move in repairing their rift

Prince Harry with his father King Charles(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Palace insiders have revealed one of the key factors that could be stopping King Charles from making the first move in reconciling with estranged son Prince Harry. The feud between father and son is believed to have gone from bad to worse in recent weeks after Harry gave an explosive interview to the BBC after losing another court battle over his security arrangements in the UK.

In that interview, he confirmed that things had got so bad between him and his father, that the King, who is still having cancer treatment, will not speak to him and he does not know “how much longer my father has” left. It comes after Harry railed against his family in his memoir Spare, where he criticised his father, branded his stepmother Queen Camilla dangerous and claimed older brother Prince William physically attacked him.

Father and son are embroiled in a bitter feud (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Some have suggested that if father and son are to get their relationship back on track, it should be the King to reach out and make the first move. However, a palace insider has told PEOPLE magazine one of the reasons why this has not been the case so far – and they claimed it is because those around the King have not “encouraged reconciliation”.

According to the publication, William has shown “no interest” in repairing the rift, Camilla “stays out of it” while even the King’s most personal aide, private secretary Sir Clive Alderton is “unlikely to push for a personal outreach”.

Respected royal correspondent and author Valentine Low told PEOPLE of Charles: “There is not a good angel in his ear to say, ‘Be a good dad and make the first move’.” Talking about Harry’s bombshell BBC interview, he added: “It wasn’t meant to be an attack, but it would be seen as one. It makes Charles reach out even harder.”

Harry during a bombshell BBC interview (Image: BBC)

In his bombshell interview after losing his security case at the Court of Appeal, Harry admitted: “Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things.”

And speaking previously to the Mirror, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine Ingrid Seward, said any apology from Harry for his actions in the past will be a long time coming, despite his plea for reconciliation.

She said: “By now Charles is used to Harry’s disloyalty and contradictions. But what he will not be prepared to put up with is his youngest son’s stubborn conviction that he is always right. Harry’s ego is so fragile he thinks the world is against him. He refuses to take responsibility for his actions. If he wants reconciliation, why does he still attack his family?

“If he did say sorry to his father and those he has hurt, he would be admitting he was wrong. Harry has such a weak sense of self he appears incapable of doing this. Harry’s stubbornness will almost certainly prevent him from bringing his wife and children to the UK. At least in the immediate future.

“He said he realised he had upset the ‘family’ but never once offered to apologise. The King knows this. But he also understands that under Harry’s accusatory exterior, he is extremely vulnerable.”

As King, Charles needs total trust. He is head of state and monarch and that has to come first as Charles vowed at his Coronation. He will be very sad it has come to this. But if he can’t trust Harry, he has to avoid him until such time things change. If they ever do.”

In a surprise bonus episode of her podcast with Beyonce’s mum Tina Knowles, Meghan Markle spoke about the difficulties of building her As Ever business and admitted she has paused restocking her sell-out items

Meghan has released a bonus episode of her podcast(Image: Getty Images)

Meghan Markle has admitted she’s decided to “just pause” restocking her As Ever products – despite them selling out in just 45 minutes. The Duchess of Sussex says she wants to wait until it is “completely stable and we have everything we need” before putting more of her jams, herbal teas and flower sprinkles back on sale.

Her admission came during a bonus episode of her podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, which features a chat with Beyonce’s mum Tina Knowles. During the podcast, Meghan spoke about the April launch of her As Ever products including jam and herbal tea and how “scarcity mentality at the beginning might be a hook for people”, comparing it to “a sneaker drop”.

Meghan has launched a lifestyle brand called As Ever (Image: JENNA PEFFLEY/NETFLIX)

But she added she feared it might be ‘annoying’ for customers, adding: “I don’t want you to eat that jam once every six months. I want that to be on your shelf all the time.” She added: “So for me at the moment, with As Ever, it was great. We planned for a year we get and then everything sells out in 45 minutes.

“Yes, amazing, great news. Then what do you do? And then you say ‘Ok, we planned as best as we could. Are we going to replenish and sell out again in an hour? Or is that annoying as a customer? I’m looking at it saying ‘Just pause. That happened. Let’s wait until we are completely stable and we have everything we need’.”

She added how people “see all the flashy stuff and they see the product. But that end game… those behind the scenes moments, how many tears I’ve shed”.

Elsewhere in the chat, Meghan also expressed her dream of launching a future business with daughter Princess Lilibet, after talking to Knowles about the Cecred haircare line she started with Beyonce.

Meghan with her daughter Princess Lilibet (Image: instagram.com/meghan)

“I wonder if one day I’ll be in business with Lili and we’ll be building something,” the duchess said, with Knowles adding: “That’s the best.”

Knowles chatted to Meghan about how pop superstar Beyonce could have been a hairdresser after growing up watching her mother work in a salon.

The pair discussed the singer using wigs on stage, with Meghan revealing she was advised by other actresses to start wearing them while working on Suits but she chose not to do so.

Knowles said: “She’s on a stage with hot lights and she wears wigs a lot, and she’s managed to keep her hair beautiful and healthy and that’s not an easy task when you’re in showbiz.”

Harry and Meghan at a Beyonce concert last month

Meghan replied: “That is a testament. I mean, even on Suits, I was on Suits for seven years, and I remember so many other actresses, especially if you’re in that grind, they said ‘You are going to fry your hair’, and everyone was recommending that I should start wearing wigs. “I never ended up doing it. By the way, if I was in that industry longer, I understand why you need to protect your hair in that way.”

The pair also discussed mutual friend Hollywood mogul Tyler Perry, who gave the Sussexes use of his LA home as a base when they first moved to the US in 2020, with Knowles saying: “Tyler talks about you all… He loves you.” Meghan described him as “the most extraordinary soundboard”.

The duchess said she “loved seeing Yvette there” – seemingly referring to Beyonce’s publicist Yvette Noel-Schure – and said: “I wrote her a letter after I went to B’s concert a couple of years ago. She said the kindest things and I just wanted her to know how much it meant to me.”

The podcast was recorded before Harry and Meghan had a night out at Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter tour, with Knowles describing how the star was “on fire” and telling Meghan ‘Y’all gotta come”.

Meghan, who said she had been trying to decide which date to attend, replied: “Oh my gosh. I can’t wait.” Last month, the duchess shared pictures of herself and Harry at one of the shows in LA, writing on Instagram : “About last night… Thank you @beyonce and team for an amazing concert (and a very fun date night)! All love.”

Meghan first publicly met Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z in London at the premiere of Disney’s 2019 remake of The Lion King, which featured the singer’s music and her voice as the character Nala.

In the Sussexes’ Netflix documentary, Meghan was shown reading a message from Beyonce which praised the duchess’s “bravery and vulnerability” and told her she “was selected to break generational curses that need to be healed”.

EastEnders actress Clair Norris, who plays Bernie Taylor in the soap, has broken her silence after it was revealed she’d been axed by the BBC soap

Clair Norris has broken her silence on EastEnders axe (Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Actress Clair Norris, who plays Bernie Taylor in EastEnders, has spoken out weeks after it was revealed she had been axed from the BBC soap after eight years.

Clair, 27, joined her fellow castmates at this weekend’s British Soap Awards, in which the soap won an incredible 8 awards. It included wins for Best British Soap, Best Single Episode and Scene of the Year for Angie Watts’ surprise return.

The cast and crew were out in full force celebrating, as Clair addressed her exit for the first time in a post from the night – calling it an “amazing end”.

Clair joined the rest of the EastEnders cast for her final British Soap Awards(Image: Instagram/ @clair_norris)

Taking to her Instagram to post a picture of herself all glammed up in a teal dress on the night, Clair penned: “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,” along with a number of red heart emojis.

Emma Barton who plays Honey Mitchell echoed: “Love you,” as Elijah Holloway who plays Harry Mitchell gushed: “We looked lovely didn’t we.”

Clair Norris will be leaving the soap after playing the role of Bernie Taylor for eight years(Image: BBC)

Clair also posted pictures with co-star Matthew James Morrison, who has also been axed from the soap after playing the role of Felix Baker since 2022.

Bernie 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.

According to The Sun, Bernie’s exit storyline didn’t come as a surprise to star Clair. A source told the publication: “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.”