EASTENDERS has aired five shock exits ahead of the Christmas murder mystery.
The BBC soap said goodbye tonight to Karen Taylor, Mitch Baker, Bailey Baker and Mack and Mia Atkins in a shock plot.
The Sun had previously exclusively revealed how actress Lorraine Stanley had been axed but the other exits had been kept under wraps.
Viewers watched as Karen packed up her life after being exposed for faking Albie’s kidnapping.
She kept Keanu’s secret but also kept the tens of thousands of pounds they took from Phil Mitchell.
Karen tried to get daughter Bernie to leave with her but it was for nothing.
An emotional Bernie realised Karen only wanted her to go with her to look after the kids so she refused to go.
Karen said her goodbyes and packed her things into bin bags to do a runner but in the pub Mitch was made to realise that he loved Karen and he had to stand by her.
He ran out just in time to stop Karen and tell her that he loves her.
“I love you Karen Taylor,” he said.
“I always have and I always will. From now on it’s just me and you together forever, no messing about.”
He told Bailey to pack her things and decided to go with Karen, Mack and Mia for a new life outside of Walford.
They ran into the van and hid the kids but Karen was nowhere to be seen.
Instead she was digging up the memorial tree to her murdered daughter Chantelle insisting: “Chantelle is coming with us.”
They fled to the van and finished packing and began to leave.
Over at Sharon’s, Phil arrived shouting at Keanu to get the money but Keanu saw Chantelle’s tree had gone from the window and ran outside.
He heard Bernie shouting that she loved her mum and ran into the road to try and stop the van from leaving.
“Mum I need the money, I need the money,” he screamed as Karen said she was sorry but left anyway.
Meanwhile, Phil chased the van shouting: “Oi! I want my money. This ain’t over.”
Inside the van Mitch and Karen decided to move to Spain with the three kids for a new life.
Karen said: “I’ll always be Karen Taylor. Watch out Spain the Taylor-Bakers are coming!”
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, fans flocked to share their thoughts.
One wrote: “Farewell to Mitch, Karen, Bailey, Mac and Mia.”
A second said: “Can’t believe we are losing Mitch as well as Karen.”
Another added: “Ah poor Mitch! Didn’t realise he was leaving too.”
