EastEnders’ Tanya Franks ‘quits the role of Rainie Cross after seven years’

EastEnders actress Tanya Franks has reportedly quit her role as Rainie Cross on BBC soap after seven years.

The 54-year-old has appeared in the show on and off since 2007 but most recently returned in 2015, but will apparently leave the show in a storyline that sees her character depart Albert Square with her baby Roland.

Rainie – who is the sister of the established character Tanya Branning – became estranged from her son after his father Stuart Highway abandoned him during his depression battle and left him in the care of surrogate Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris).

Goodbye: EastEnders actress Tanya Franks, 54, has reportedly quit the role of Rainie Cross after seven years and will leave the show in shocking scenes (stock image) 

But upon growing tired of caring for the tot, Bernie offered Rainie an ultimatum.

She said: ‘I shouldn’t be the only one putting Roland first. You do not get to make him suffer because your marriage is falling apart.

In scenes yet to air on television, Rainie tells Stuart: ‘The most important now is my innocent little boy. Your faces, I’ll be fine.’

Drama: Rainie – who is the sister of the established character Tanya Branning – became estranged from her son after his father Stuart Highway abandoned him during his depression battle and left him in the care of surrogate Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris)

According to The Sun, Rainie was then seen climbing into a cab with Roland as she left Walford for good.

Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ) is also said to be leaving the series shortly after Rainie’s exit scenes have aired.

MailOnline have contacted BBC for comment. 

Reports: According to The Sun, Rainie was then seen climbing into a cab with Roland as she left Walford for good (L-R) Stuart Highwayman (Ricky Champ) Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks) Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) 

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It comes just days after Maddy Hill – known to viewers as market stall trader Nancy Carter – also left the soap opera on Thursday.

The beloved charted moved Manchester after her boyfriend Zack Hudson (James Farrar) cheated on her with Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf).

Fans were left ‘gutted’ after actress Maddie left the soap in shock scenes,  just a year after reprising her role as Nancy Carter.

Goodbye: EastEnder’s fans  were left ‘gutted’ on Thursday evening over Nancy Carter’s shock departure… as actress Maddy Hill has left the show for good

With many taking to Twitter to share their shock and sadness for the Carter family.

 During the episode, Nancy’s dad Mick (Danny Dyer) and sister Frankie (Rose Ayling-Ellis) stood by her to say goodbye – before she headed off in a black cab in true EastEnders style.

As Danny Dyer also prepares to leave the show later this year, fans explained their sadness for the falling apart Carter family.

‘Well that was a shocker I didn’t know Nancy was leaving, I hope the Carters don’t leave, I know Mick is going but please save Shirley and Frankie,’ wrote one viewer.

Gone for good: The character then headed off in a black cab, in true EastEnders style

Emotional: During the episode, Nancy’s dad Mick (Danny Dyer) and sister Frankie (Rose Ayling-Ellis) stood by her to say goodbye

While another said they were ‘gutted’, with one fan saying to ‘come back soon’. 

But it seems to be the end of the road for Maddy’s character, as the actress said: ‘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.’

While a spokesperson for EastEnders told MailOnline: ‘We wish Maddy all the very best for the future’.

‘Thank you’: But showing he would miss co-star Maddy, James took to his Instagram Story to share a touching tribute as they said their goodbyes