Chrissies exit kept under wraps

Chrissy Watts is set to leave Albert Square, but the manner of her departure is a complete mystery, even to the soap's producers.

15:11 01 August 2005

Chrissy Watts, who did what so many have always wanted to do and murdered her husband Dirty Den, is set to leave Albert Square. But the manner of her departure is a complete mystery, even to the soap's producers.

Tracy-Ann Oberman, who plays the curly-locked husband-killer, has been told that no less than four separate storylines will be filmed to mark her departure from EastEnders, and no-one will be told which climax will be used until the last possible moment.

A show insider told the Daily Star that the mystery ploy is designed to snatch back viewers from Emmerdale, which threatens to take over the Walford show's long-standing position as the second most-watched soap in Britain.

"This is a position that cannot be tolerated and we will be using the Chrissie Watts departure as a major weapon in our armoury," said the Albert Square mole.

"Death, escape, suicide or jail? Who knows which of these alternatives loom for Walford's sexy husband-killer?"

Tracy's departure is scheduled for November, and she is expected to be joined by Kim Medcalf, who plays her blonde co-conspirator Sam Mitchell.