Exclusive: Leon, Zsa Zsa to leave 'EastEnders'

Sam Attwater and Emer Kenny are to leave EastEnders in the coming months, Digital Spy can exclusively reveal.

The pair - who play Leon Small and Zsa Zsa Carter in the show - are the latest cast members to be written out under new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood's tenure. Kenny, in particular, expressed her intention to pursue new acting projects beyond EastEnders.

Their characters first appeared in online spinoff E20, before transitioning into the main show shortly after the run of 12 webisodes.

Speaking of their departure, Kirkwood exclusively told DS: "Emer and Sam have made a real impact in the short time they've been on the Square and we wish them all the best for the future."

He added: "Of course, we look forward to continuing working with Emer in her capacity as a writer on EastEnders: E20."

Attwater and Kenny are the 13th and 14th cast members scheduled to bow out before the end of the year.

Other actors due to leave include Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater), Tiana Benjamin (Chelsea Fox) and Barbara Windsor (Peggy Mitchell).

Since his arrival, however, Kirkwood has cast former Footballers' Wives star Zöe Lucker and soap newcomer Kylie Babbington as mother-daughter duo Vanessa and Jodie Gold.

> Click here to read our exclusive first interview with new EastEnders exec Bryan Kirkwood.