Carli Norris thinks ‘EastEnders’ bosses shouldn’t have tried to "change the essence" of the show by attempting to make it more of a "reality drama" in 2016.
The 43-year-old actress departed her role as Belinda Peacock in November 2016 – when the soap’s executive producer was Sean O’Connor – and she has revealed a number of cast members felt "a bit of trepidation" about their futures at the time.
She said: "It was a shame when Belinda left, as she was funny and brought glamour to Walford – but the producer at the time wanted to shake up the show to make it more of a reality drama.
"I reckon when you have a show that big, you shouldn’t really change the essence of it.
"At the time I think everybody felt a bit of trepidation over what would happen next, where the storylines would go and who would leave.
"I’m glad that Kat and the rest of the Slaters are going back – I think it’s needed."
While the former ‘Hollyoaks’ star – who played Martha Kane in the Channel 4 soap for nearly two years – was disappointed when Belinda was axed from Albert Square, she would consider reprising her role.
When asked if she would be up for an ‘EastEnders’ return, she said: "Maybe … ‘Turn of the Screw’ finishes in June, and then I start rehearsals for ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ in October – so there’s only a small window in the summer.
"It’d depend on the circumstances, but I had a great time at ‘EastEnders’ – if I was to return to any soap, it’d be that one."
Belinda was known for her flirty nature with the likes of Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), and Carli "really enjoyed" starring alongside the ‘Football Factory’ actor.
She added to Inside Soap magazine: "Who wouldn’t have enjoyed flirting with Danyn Dyer’s character?
"He’s lovely and I really enjoyed my scenes with him."
Carli Norris: Belinda’s EastEnders exit was a shame
