Earlier this week, it was revealed that Palmer is bowing out from her role as Bianca Butcher for six months to spend more time with her four children.
© BBC
© BBC
Speaking of her choice for the first time, Palmer told The Sun's TV Buzz magazine: "I'm only taking time off now because this is when the kids' holidays are. When I re-signed my contract I said, 'I love EastEnders, but I love my kids more'.
"Listen, I can imagine staying in the show till I'm in my 60s, but it's a full-on job. If they hadn't been prepared to give me time off, I'd have had to choose the kids."
EastEnders fans see Bianca's exit scenes on Friday, April 27 in a special episode focusing entirely on the fiery character's escalating troubles.
Palmer confirmed: "It's a horrible final day for her. Bianca leaves the house and says she'll be back in a minute, then bumps into everyone - Tyler, Derek, Dot, Janine - and every person she meets gives her more and more to think about. She's in a daze by the end - she's delirious, like she's on drugs.
"What's happening to Bianca is similar to what a lot of people are dealing with. It makes me really grateful I can afford to feed my kids."
© BBC
© BBC
The 39-year-old also opened up over her passion for EastEnders and previous outspoken comments about the soap.
She said: "I love EastEnders and I'm always honest when I talk about it. I made the mistake once of saying I thought it was rubbish at a particular time, but I don't care. I am allowed to have an opinion.
"The show goes through phases of really brilliant storylines, then it has a bit of a wobble. But look how long it's been going. The amount of stories they have to find is unbelievable."
Read the full interview with Patsy Palmer in the next issue of TV Buzz magazine, which is free with The Sun tomorrow (April 14).
> Two EastEnders stars to take break from soap
> Read more EastEnders spoilers and news
Watch Bianca's EastEnders character trail in the video below:
