Jessica Plummer is "in absolute bits" about leaving ‘EastEnders’.
The 28-year-old actress’ character Chantelle Atkins was tragically killed off on Friday’s (18.09.20) episode when her husband and abuser, Gray Atkins – who is played by Toby Alexander-Smith – pushed her onto an open dishwasher full of upturned knives, and the star admitted she is grateful to have been "trusted" with such an "iconic" plot.
She wrote on Instagram: "Now that the dust has slightly settled, I’d just like to say..
"On a personal note, I am in absolute bits to be leaving the show. I miss even this bits I thought I hated (that dodgy outside toilet near the police station with 20 million spiders)
"All of it has been a dream come true. Without getting speechy, I owe SO many people my thanks for believing in me on my journey.
"Julia Crampsie, my agent Jonathan, Liza Mellody, Carolyn Weinstein, Jon Sen, Kate Oates .. and SO many more, including our viewers
"I came from a girl band, wanting nothing more than to prove myself as the actor I trained to be.
"I was trusted with such an important story, on one of the most iconic soaps in history
"Thank you!! (sic)"
Jessica is now looking forward to watching ‘EastEnders’ without having to "cringe" whenever she hears her voice.
She added: "It has been an unbelievable 20 months.
"Finally I can watch EastEnders again as a viewer, without cringing whenever I hear my voice (sic)"
Jessica – who shot to fame as a member of British girl group Neon Jungle – recently admitted the BBC One soap had to show a different side of domestic abuse with her harrowing storyline.
Speaking about the heart-breaking plot ahead of Chantelle’s death, Jessica said: "She holds herself with such high regard, she doesn’t cower, and she stands up for herself. I don’t think Chantelle even realises how bad it is at the start.
"She thinks, ‘Well, my life is perfect. It’s just that one small little thing. If I could just figure out, everything would be absolutely fine!’
"It’s important to show that this is still domestic abuse, even though it doesn’t look like the typical cowering-in-a-corner, locked-in-a-room versions.
"To the outside world, Gray is charismatic, he’s charming, he’s successful – he’s perhaps not the typical person that is portrayed in domestic abuse storylines."