Bernie Taylor holds a bouquet of flowers beside Belle’s memorial tree in EastEnders
Bernie made one last emotional trip to Belle’s memorial tree before her departure (Picture: BBC)
After eight dramatic years, Clair Norris has made her final EastEnders appearance as Bernie Taylor this week, marking the end of an era as the last remaining member of the Taylor family leaves Albert Square.
Bernie’s emotional exit is part of a joint departure with her on-screen step-cousin, Felix Baker, played by Matthew James Morrison.
Taking to Instagram, Clair shared a picture of the pair bidding Walford farewell and expressing her gratitude for sharing the goodbye with Matthew.
Clair captioned the snap: ‘Bernie &👸🏼B… I truly believe our paths crossed for a reason.
‘I couldn’t have been more thankful to have you by my side on our last block. What a rollercoaster it was but hand in hand we did it!!!’
Matthew then joined in and commented, ‘I love you Clair Hayley Norris ❤️’.
Clair first appeared on EastEnders in 2017 and has been praised for her powerful performances, especially during emotional scenes such as Bernie’s confrontation with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).
Matthew joined the cast in 2022, making his memorable debut in drag as alter ego ‘Tara Misu’.
Bernie chats with Felix in The Albert in EastEnders
Felix and Clair exited the show hand in hand (Picture: BBC)
Norris’s last scenes aired last night (Tuesday, July 1st). Before her departure, Bernie’s storyline primarily revolved around her seeking justice for her brother Keanu (Danny Walters), who was murdered as part of the soap’s gripping ‘The Six’ plotline.
Taking matters into her own hands, Bernie began stealing from the Panesar businesses to get revenge on Suki (Balvinder Sopal), who she believes played a role in Keanu’s death.
Bernie urged her step-cousin, Felix, to join her in leaving Walford to join their loved ones abroad and start a new life away from the chaos of the East End.
Bernie confided in him about the truth of what happened to Keanu and told him that ‘The Six’ covered it up, and his love interest, Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff), was also involved.
Clair Norris as Bernie in EastEnders, looking upset
Walford has bid farewell to Bernie (Picture: BBC)
Drama continued to unfold when Felix, dressed as his drag persona ‘Tara Misu’, caught Johnny kissing Callum Highway (Tony Clay) at The Albert’s Pride party. Felix’s decision was then set – he knew that he must leave Walford with Bernie.
As Clair Norris and Matthew James Morrison have taken their final bow on EastEnders, while their classic black cab exit signals goodbye for now, could we see them return to Albert Square in the future?
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EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
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