EastEnders star admits she’s ‘unemployed’ two years after quitting soap and love split

TV STAR Charlie Brooks has admitted to being “unemployed” two years after quitting EastEnders – and she loves it.

The actress, best known for playing Janine Butcher in EastEnders, took to Instagram to talk about life since leaving the BBC soap.

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A woman takes a selfie in a mirror.

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Charlie Brooks is best known for playing Janine Butcher in EastEndersCredit: Instagram

Janine Butcher and Scarlett Moon in a scene from EastEnders.

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Charlie has admitted she has been “unemployed” for the last two yearsCredit: BBC

She wrote: “Life is good. As someone who is generally validated by work…Turns out being at home, chilling with my dog, taking long walks, reforming, reading…

“…and actually getting to hang out with my friends doing everything and nothing makes me really f***ing happy.”

Charlie left the soap in December 2022 and since then, she has been seen attending gigs and spending time with her family.

The 43-year-old actress portrayed the role of Janine Butcher on and off from 1999 until 2022.

The character was famed for killing Barry Evans back in 2004.

In scenes three years ago, Janine reignited her feud with Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Stacey (Lacey Turner), where Janine almost killed the former’s son in an accidental fire.

The character’s manipulative ways were also behind the split of Mick (Danny Dyer) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) as she wanted him all to herself.

In her exit storyline, she was arrested after driving a car off a cliff, which led to the supposed death of her newest husband Mick.

Outside of the soap, Charlie won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2011 and took the title of Queen of the Jungle in the twelfth series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! one year later in 2012.

Most recently, she appeared on the 17th series of Dancing On Ice at the start of the year, partnering with professional skater Eric Radford.

Charlie Brooks reflects on her acting career and starting out at 15

She was eliminated from the competition in the fifth week.

Back in February, Charlie also split from boyfriend James Fuller just weeks after they went public with their relationship.

Charlie is mum to 20-year-old daughter Kiki who she shares with Ibiza nightclub owner Tony Truman.

She and Tony split just two years after Kiki was born but they are on very good terms.Charlie previously revealed Tony lives in a flat above her and their daughter.

Charlie Brooks at the Devil Wears Prada musical premiere.

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The 43-year-old appeared on Dancing On Ice at the start of the yearCredit: Getty

Charlie Brooks at the Dancing on Ice photocall.

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Charlie was eliminated in the fifth week of Dancing On IceCredit: Getty

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