Kat's Explosive 'Enders Departure

Jessie WallaceEastEnders star Jessie Wallace will quit the soap in an explosive storyline at Christmas.

But bosses - desperate not to lose one of their prized assets - will leave the door open for her to return.

Jessie - man-eater Kat Slater  - is dumping the Square to sign a reported six-figure deal with the BBC to front a number of new dramas.

She will leave Walford at the same time as screen hubby Alfie Moon - played by Shane Richie, who plans to make it big in Hollywood.

An insider told the Daily Mirror: "Kat has been a fantastic character but Jessie is ready for new challenges and the writers want her to go out on a high."

Steve McFadden and Ross KempJessie temporarily left the soap earlier this year to have baby Tallulah. She then split with her daughter's father Dave Morgan and was said to be reluctant to go back to EastEnders, but she eventually signed a short-term deal.

There are lots of comings and goings in the soap this year - hopefully bringing the worst period in its history to a close.

At its lowest point, just 7m viewers were tuning in as Emmerdale overtook it in the ratings war.

Kat's daughter Zoe (Michelle Ryan) has left and Sam Butcher (Kim Medcalf) leaves in the autumn, while Phil and Grant Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp, are due to return along with mum Peggy (Barbara Windsor).

A BBC spokesman confirmed: "Jessie Wallace is leaving EastEnders at the end of the year. It's a mutual decision.

"She's also in talks with the BBC to work on other projects after she leaves the show."