The EastEnders star was axed from the BBC soap earlier this year alongside co-star Matthew James Morrison as new boss Ben Wadey got rid of the remaining Taylor family
An EastEnders actress has bagged a fresh gig after being abruptly written out of the soap. Clair Norris, known for her role as Bernie Taylor in the BBC drama, exited the show earlier this year when new boss Ben Wadey decided to phase out the remaining Taylor family.
However, she’s now set to tread the boards in the panto Jack and the Beanstalk in Hastings, where she’ll be playing Fairy Sunshine.
Speaking out she said: “I wanted to do panto last year but I had just moved into my first home. I wanted to host Christmas but when it came around this time, I was not doing EastEnders and I didn’t have a busy schedule and I just wanted a new challenge.”
“Everyone I spoke to said that you’ve got to do pantomime and that it’s just such fun and that it is just so completely different especially when you’ve been doing television. It allows you to be a kid again and it’s really nice during the festive season when you’ve got something else to focus on. I have not got it on my CV and I just want to tick things off,” she told Sussex Express.
Norris has portrayed Bernie, the daughter of Karen Taylor, since the family first appeared on the scene in 2017. An insider revealed: “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.”
Another source added: “Everyone at EastEnders loves Clair but often characters have to leave. It’s time for fresh narratives to unfold, as is the way with soaps. Clair will be missed but she will always be part of the EastEnders family.”
An EastEnders representative confirmed the news, stating: “We can confirm that Clair will be leaving EastEnders later this year and we wish her all the best for the future.”
With Clair’s departure, and Matthew Morrison, who played Felix, also having exited as previously reported, all remnants of the divisive family have vanished from our screens. Family matriarch Karen Taylor left last year along with Mitch and their grandchildren Mia and Mackenzie.
Their son Keanu was written out in 2023 as part of The Six storyline, daughter Chantelle was tragically killed by her husband Gray Atkins in 2020, and son Keegan relocated to Germany in 2022. The family, notorious for living off benefits, caused quite a stir when they first arrived in Walford in 2017, polarising fans.
The actor has left the show earlier this year alongside co-star Matthew James Morrison. Clair had played Bernie Taylor on the show since 2017. The latest episode saw the character was seen getting into the back of a taxi with cousin Felix Baker, played by Matthew, 33, as they headed to the airport for a new life abroad.
Ahead of the episode, Clair confirmed her exit after eight years and reflected on her experience as a cast member in a post on Instagram. It included a photo of her in a dressing room whilst working on the show. At the time, she wrote: “My last ep airs tonight & with that comes a flood of memories… Eastenders was my first audition, and my first job. Having come from college & having no experience in this industry, Julia, Wayne & Sean all took a chance on me to play Bernadette Taylor & for that, I can’t be thankful enough.
“8 years later and honestly this job, has changed my life. It’s true what they all said at the beginning, Eastenders is one big family & I’m so lucky to have met and worked with some amazing people.”
She added: “I will always have an attachment to Bernie, she represents so many girls out there who wear their heart of their sleeves and don’t quite fit in…no offence to anyone who wear purple coats …I have adored playing her and she will forever hold a special place in my heart. This has been the best first role ever!!!”
Following the episode, Clair paid tribute to co-star Matthew, who has yet to post about his exit on the platform. She shared photos of them together from the filming of their characters’ joint departure from Albert Square, with his character Felix dressed up as his drag persona Tara.
Clair wrote: “Bernie & [princess emoji] B… @matthew_james_morrison I truly believe our paths crossed for a reason. I couldn’t have been more thankful to have you by my side on our last block. What a rollercoaster it was but hand in hand we did it!!!”
Bernie was seen getting a taxi to the airport with Felix at the end of last night’s episode after she stole money from the Panesar family. She embezzled more than £20,000 through her role overseeing their business empire.
Her actions were in retaliation for matriarch Suki Panesar ( Balvinder Sopal ) and her friends being involved in the death of Bernie’s late brother Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), which they covered up. She had previously tried to expose them.
Felix had initially told Bernie that he wouldn’t leave with her but later changed his mind. It came after he discovered his partner Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) had known the truth about Keanu’s death. When he went to confront him, Felix saw Johnny kissing Callum Highway ( Tony Clay ).
As the episode drew to a close, Bernie and Felix’s taxi arrived as Suki tried to stop them. She was eventually convinced to let them leave with the stolen money in light of Keanu’s death. The pair were then seen leaving in the taxi.
Source: Mirror
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