Bianca Jackson Butcher (Patsy Palmer)

[Perdita]

EastEnders stars Patsy Palmer and Lindsey Coulson have returned to filming after a six-month break.

Their characters Bianca Butcher and Carol Jackson will be back on TV screens over the Christmas period, The Sun reports.

"The cast and crew are excited that the Jackson family are due to return and their storylines are as colourful as ever," an insider told the paper, saying that Bianca and her children would have "a heavy screen presence over the festive period".

"Bosses are hoping the return of Bianca and Carol will prove a big draw for viewers over Christmas," the source added, confirming that Bianca is due to return to screens as her uncle Max Branning remarries ex-wife Tanya on Christmas Eve.

Palmer took a break from the soap earlier this year to spend time with her family.

Wiewers saw Bianca leave Walford as she breached the terms of her probation by attempting to steal money from a market stall, as she faced extreme financial hardship.

Carol followed her daughter out of the soap, moving to Suffolk temporarily with Bianca's children.

[alan45]

Patsy Palmer is to leave DeadEnders, it has been announced.

The 41-year-old actress has played Bianca Butcher on the BBC One soap since 1993.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Palmer said: "Patsy is really sad to be leaving the show as she loves playing Bianca and working with executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins but she knows it's the right decision at this time in her life."

Meanwhile, EastEnders' Treadwell-Collins confirmed that he would not be killing off Palmer's character.

He added: "We are so sad that Patsy has decided to leave us but completely understand it's the right time for her.

"Bianca won't be leaving Albert Square until the autumn so there's still a lot more to come from her on screen this year – and the door will be left wide open for her return. We won't be getting rid of Bianca's puffa jacket just yet."

The mother-of-four will reportedly move with her family to Los Angeles this summer.

Palmer originally exited the show in 1999 before she returned for a one-off episode in 2002. She reprised the part of Bianca full-time again in 2008.

[alan45]

Patsy Palmer is to leave DeadEnders, it has been announced.

The 41-year-old actress has played Bianca Butcher on the BBC One soap since 1993.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Palmer said: "Patsy is really sad to be leaving the show as she loves playing Bianca and working with executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins but she knows it's the right decision at this time in her life."

Meanwhile, EastEnders' Treadwell-Collins confirmed that he would not be killing off Palmer's character.

He added: "We are so sad that Patsy has decided to leave us but completely understand it's the right time for her.

"Bianca won't be leaving Albert Square until the autumn so there's still a lot more to come from her on screen this year – and the door will be left wide open for her return. We won't be getting rid of Bianca's puffa jacket just yet."

The mother-of-four will reportedly move with her family to Los Angeles this summer.

Palmer originally exited the show in 1999 before she returned for a one-off episode in 2002. She reprised the part of Bianca full-time again in 2008.

[Dazzle]

I can't stand Bianca's screechy voice and selfishness so I can't say I'm sorry to see her go. She seems to have very few redeeming features nowadays.

[tammyy2j]

She is a loss to the show, great character well played by Patsy

[lizann]

will all her family as in her kids leave as well

[Perdita]

It says she will move to LA with her family ... guess they are leaving too

[Dazzle]

The mother-of-four will reportedly move with her family to Los Angeles this summer.

I took that to mean that Patsy Palmer and her family would move to LA, not Bianca and her lot.

[Perdita]

ooops sorry, I now see what you mean ... it does sound like it, yes

[sarah c]

ah but it says the mother of four will move to LA

does Patsy have four children? I didnt think so..?