Laila Morse is to leave her role as Big Mo on EastEnders in the coming months, it has been confirmed.
The 75-year-old - sister of Oscar winner Gary Oldman - has played the dodgy-dealing grandmother of the Slater family since 2000 and previously took a break from the soap between 2016 and 2018.
According to the Daily Star, producers decided against renewing her contract when it came up for renewal and she will film her final scenes within the next few weeks.
"Laila is leaving the show. Her current contract is coming to an end and execs agreed this was a good time to write her out," a source told the newspaper.
"It hasn't been decided how Big Mo will leave. But it is unlikely to be too explosive and she definitely won't die.
"Laila has had a few breaks over the years. Her character often comes and goes depending on the storylines.
"There is no set timescale in place for her to return. It's very difficult for producers to plan ahead because of coronavirus.
"The current pandemic has made things very difficult. But there is hope Laila will one day be back."
An EastEnders spokeswoman confirmed: "Just like many occasions before, Big Mo will be departing Walford.
"But as always, she'll no doubt be back in the not too distant future."
Big Mo's on-screen exit is likely to air in late spring.
Neil Wilkes
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