| Josie Lawrence quits EastEnders |
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| Written by Lynn Swift - UK Soaps Reporter |
| Monday, 16 November 2009 10:02 |
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Before joining EastEnders Josie Lawrence was known for a variety of roles, both serious and comedy. In the first two seasons of E4’s Skins Lawrence played the recurring role of Liz Jenkins and also appeared in Five’s revival of Minder alongside Shane Richie. Other roles include Robin Hood, The Last Detective, Marple and Down to Earth. In 2006 she played Miss Berta in the Victoria Wood penned West-End play; Acorn Antiques: The Musical. The musical was based on the legendary series of sketches Acorn Antiques which was a spoof of soaps such as Crossroads, Wagonners Walk and Coronation Street.
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Popular entertainment news site Digital Spy is reporting that comedienne Josie Lawrence has quit her role BBC One soap EastEnders. Lawrence plays Manda Best in the London based soap and made her first appearance at the start of this year. Having known Phil Mitchell and Minty Peterson in their youth Manda had friends already in the Square when she moved in. Although she enjoyed a teenage romance with Phil it was Minty she took up with but it looks likely Minty will also be her reason for departing the square. 
Manda Best will bow out in the spring after discovering a huge secret about Minty. Although Manda is departing her on-screen son Adam [David Proud] will remain with the soap. Josie Lawrence's decision to quit the soap follows two other high-profile announcements. Last week Charlie Clements, who plays Bradley Branning, announced he too was leaving the soap and several weeks ago Barbara Windsor announced her departure from EastEnders. There are also changes behind-the-scenes as well with Deiderick Santer stepping down as Executive Producer to be replaced by former Hollyoaks producer Bryan Kirkwood.