'EastEnders' chiefs axe Honey Mitchell

EastEnders star Emma Barton has been axed by the soap's producers.

The actress, who joined the BBC One show as Honey Mitchell in September 2005, will now depart later this year. Her on-screen husband Perry Fenwick (Billy) has been told that his job is safe.

An insider told The Sun: "Emma's a lovely actress, but we've just come to the end of her storyline. Honey will go this summer."

Emma said: "I'm looking forward to going back to musical theatre."

Honey has been at the centre of a number of high-profile plots during her time on the soap, including giving birth to baby girl Janet, who has Down's Syndrome, in 2006.