‘I am in absolute bits’: Jessica Plummer bids an emotional farewell to EastEnders as she leaves show

Jessica Plummer bid an emotional goodbye to her castmates and the EastEnders set on Monday as she cleared her dressing room for the final time. 

The actress, 27, and her long-suffering character, Chantelle Atkins, experienced her last moments on the BBC One soap on Friday as she was murdered by her abusive husband, Gray Atkins, in a harrowing storyline. 

Jessica shared an emotional message with her Instagram followers on Tuesday as she left Chantelle in EastEnders history.   

Alongside a picture on set, she penned: ‘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. [sic]’

She continued: ‘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!! 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’s co-star, Bleu Landau responded to her touching social media post with heart emojis, while Gurlaine Kaur Garcha, who plays Ash Panesar, said: ‘You are amazing. onwards and upwards girl – love you xxxxxx’.  

The actress behind EastEnders’ Ruby Allen, Louis Lytton, messaged Jessica: ‘Congratulations Jess what a storyline, what an achievement ❤️,’ and Dancing On Ice star Emma Barton penned: ‘Love you darlin’. 

Jessica rose to fame in the singing group, Neon Jungle, from 2013 to 2015 before setting foot on Albert Square in March 2019. 

The storyline of her character, Chantelle, culminated in her decision to leave her controlling spouse, Gray [Toby Alexander-Smith] following years of mental and physical abuse. 

She was ultimately killed off at the hands of her husband, which JEastEnders’ Executive Producer said was an important yet tragic topic that needed to be explored on the show. 

EP Jon Sen told MailOnline: ‘Chantelle’s story is such an important one to tell accurately and upon both character’s inception we planned her tragic ending with the intention of embedding the stark reality of domestic abuse at the heart of the Atkins family.

‘Being able to shed light on the realities of what goes on behind closed doors has never been more crucial given the harrowing statistics as a result of the current pandemic and hopefully Chantelle’s story will encourage people to speak out to someone they trust and get the support that they need.

 ‘Jessica’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary and even in her final scenes, the audience will be moved by Chantelle’s strength.’

He also commented on her departure from the longstanding BBC One soap and said: ‘We’re very sorry so see Jessica go but hope that her impact on viewers is long-lasting.’