EastEnders star Clair Norris has bid a final farewell to Bernadette Taylor following an emotional exit.
This week, Bernie has been embroiled in a lot of drama after stealing money from the Panesar accounts. The café worker was put in charge of the Panesar businesses by Nish (Navin Chowdhry) before his death in January.
She also told her cousin Felix Baker (Matthew James Morrison) that his boyfriend Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) was complicit in concealing Keanu Taylor’s (Danny Walters) murder.
After Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) and Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) realised Bernie was responsible for the missing money, and not Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig), they set out to get their cash back.
Bernie had been hiding a big secret from the Panesar family as she left Walford (Image: BBC)
Meanwhile, as The Six pleaded with Suki (Balvinder Sopal) to let Bernie go to protect their secret, Felix arrived, dressed as his alter ego Tara Misu and ready to join Bernie for a fresh start.
After transferring a final £25k payment into her account as part of her revenge plot, Suki agreed to leave Bernie be, and just as Ravi and the rest of the family rushed over to stop Bernie, she and Felix were driven away from Walford for good in a classic black cab.
Clair, 28, joined the BBC soap back in 2017 with the Taylor family quickly becoming a much loved edition to Walford.
Bernie was joined by Felix Baker as they left Walford marking the end of an era (Image: BBC)
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the soap star paid a sweet tribute to Bernie and EastEnders message with fans.
Clair 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.
“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.”
She added: “I have adored playing her and she will forever hold a special place in my heart. This has been the best first role ever!!!”
The double exit marked the end of the Taylor family, and Felix actor Matthew James Morrison’s final scenes, following the actors arrival on EastEnders since 2022.
