Maisie Smith QUITS EastEnders after Strictly success

She plays Tiffany Butcher on the soap

Author: Alex RossPublished 15th Jan 2021
Last updated 15th Jan 2021

Following her success on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing, Maisie Smith has made the decision to leave her role as Tiffany Butcher in EastEnders, according to reports.

Maisie, who has portrayed the role for 13 years on and off, reportedly wants to widen her career and attempt to crack the film industry.

A source close to the actress told Mail Online, "Maisie is hugely ambitious and wants to test herself away from soaps.

"Starring in movies is a personal goal and seeing how well Ben and Himesh have done, it’s given her hope she could be the next box office star from EastEnders. The only stumbling block is whether COVID-19 and the knock-on effect of the pandemic will dilute the pool of acting opportunities.

"If it remains bleak, the sensible move might be staying put for another year. But the intention is to leave in October."

Check out which TV stars you didn't know are related:

Rita Simons and Lord Alan Sugar

Former EastEnders and I'm A Celeb star Rita Simons is the niece of the one and only Lord Alan Sugar.

Phoebe, Hattie and Sally Dynevor

Phoebe Dynevor who plays the role of Daphne in Netflix show Bridgerton, is the daughter of Coronation Street actress Sally Dynevor, who plays the iconic character Sally Webster.


Sally's other daughter Hattie Dynevor now appears in Waterloo Road as student Libby Guthrie.

Jamie Lomax and Charley Webb

Former Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas, who played bad boy Warren Fox in the soap, is the brother of Emmerdale star Charley Webb.

Ryan, Adam and Scott Thomas

Former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas is the older brother of Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas and Love Island star Scott Thomas.

Kimberley and Amy Walsh

Girls Aloud singer and TV presenter Kimberley Walsh is the older sister of Emmerdale's Amy Walsh, who plays the role of Tracy Metcalfe.

Brooke Vincent and Ellie Leach

Coronation Street actresses Brooke Vincent and Ellie Leach play half sisters in the ITV soap, but in real life they are cousins.

Jill and Chelsea Halfpenny

Actress Jill Halfpenny is former Casualty actress Chelsea Halfpenny's auntie.

Nick and John Pickard

Hollyoaks actors Nick and John Pickard played half brothers in the Channel 4 soap, but they are also brothers in real life.

Lacey and Daisy Turner

EastEnders actress Lacey Turner is the older sister of former Hollyoaks actress Daisy Turner.

Hannah and Kara Tointon

Former EastEnders actress Kara Tointon is the older sister of Hannah Tointon, who has starred in TV shows such as The Inbetweeners and Call The Midwife.

Joe and Shana Swash

Joe Swash is the older brother of former EastEnders actress Shana Swash. The pair appeared on the soap together.

Mark and Jess Wright

Siblings Mark and Jess Wright appeared on The Only Way Is Essex together.

Laila Morse and Gary Oldman

EastEnders star Laila Morse is the older sister to Oscar winner Gary Oldman.

Greg Wood and Matt Milburn

The Coronation Street actors are actually brothers! Greg plays loan shark Rick Neelan and Matt plays Weatherfield County footballer, Tommy Orpington. They have also both appeared in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale!

Anthony and Emily Head

Emmerdale actress Emily Head is the daughter of actor Anthony Head, who is famous for his roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Stranger and Little Britain.

Sophie and Pete Sandiford and Paul Chuckle

Gogglebox star Sophie and Pete Sandiford are the niece and nephew of The Chuckle Brothers - Paul Chuckle and the late Barry Chuckle.

Despite finding herself in the bottom two a number of times during the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing, 19-year-old Maisie had clear talent for dancing, alongside her professional partner Gorka Márquez.

Maisie and Gorka made it all the way to the 2020 final, but the pair missed out on the Glitterball Trophy to comedian Bill Bailey and his pro partner Oti Mabuse.

The actress first joined the cast of EastEnders when she was just six-years-old in April 2008, playing the role of Bianca Jackson's daughter Tiffany.

Despite leaving the show in 2014, Maisie made a guest return in 2016, before returning to the soap full time in January 2018.

Although reports are rife that she's about to leave the soap again, in order to focus on other career projects, both Maisie and EastEnders bosses are yet to comment.

Now read:

HRVY speaks out on rumoured Strictly romance with Maisie Smith

EastEnders spoilers: Sharon Watts serves Ian Beale a killer meal

How to listen to Hits Radio:

For the biggest hits, the biggest throwbacks and incredible competitions tune into Hits Radio on our Hits Radio app, your DAB radio, Smart Speakers or online.