Patsy Palmer heads back to her London hotel after filming her final scenes on EastEnders – just days after her return hit screens

She delighted fans by reprising her role as Bianca Jackson earlier this week.

But Patsy Palmer’s impending departure from EastEnders comes sooner than fans might have hoped, with the actress filming her final scenes for the soap on Friday.

The soap star, 51, was spotted returning to her hotel in London after wrapping up work on her return as Bianca.

Patsy provided a colorful ensemble in purple sweatpants, paired with black, red and white Nike high-top Air Force sneakers.

The fiery redhead desperately tried to carry all her scripts, phone and bag in one hand, wrapped warmly in a knee-length black puffer coat.

The soap star, 51, put on a colorful show as she stepped out in purple joggers after filming the final scenes of her brief return as Bianca Jackson for the BBC show

Patsy’s character first appeared on screens in 1993 before Patsy quit in 1999 to spend more time with her family.

She returned to screens in 2002 for a special and made another return in 2009 and 2019, before her upcoming comeback.

In January, Patsy was seen filming alongside her daughter Shona McGarty, James Farrar and Natalie Cassidy next to a police car, a move that will no doubt please longtime fans of the show.

During the evening scene, you see the heavily pregnant Whitney (played by Shona) getting into trouble while trying to keep an eye out for a young mysterious girl.

Bianca, Zack and Sonia were also seen trying to give Whitney a helping hand.

However, things quickly spiral out of control when the four of them encounter the young girl’s mother, who is also a drug addict, and a violent fight breaks out.

Tragedy then struck quickly after heavily pregnant Whitney was suddenly hit by a car, sparking speculation that the star was about to bring a heartbreaking end to her time on the show.

During the devastating scene, Zack and Sonia can be seen looking on in utter shock as they watch Whitney get run over and the scene ends on a dramatic cliffhanger.

The fiery redhead desperately tries to carry all her scripts, phone and bag in one hand, wrapped warmly in a knee-length black puffer coat

Patsy’s character first appeared on screens in 1993 before Patsy retired in 1999 to spend more time with her family

However, fans will have to wait and see if this tragic accident is related to her departure.

Patsy announced her return to the soap earlier this month, writing: ‘I’m so excited to be reprising the role of Bianca. EastEnders holds such a special place in my heart, so it’s always a pleasure to be back.”

It comes after 31-year-old Shona McGarty revealed last year that she would be quitting the soap after 15 years playing Whitney, having joined in 2008 at the age of 16.

Speak with The sun on Sunday Speaking about her decision to leave Albert Square, Shona said: ‘I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I enjoyed my years on the show.”

A source told the publication that it “wasn’t an easy decision” but that Shona feels now is the right time to “try something new.”

They added, “She hopes the door remains open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it’s all in the hands of the screenwriters.”

As the adopted daughter of the infamous Bianca (played by Patsy), Whitney has been part of several hard-hitting storylines.

In January, Patsy was seen filming alongside her daughter Shona McGarty, James Farrar and Natalie Cassidy next to a police car, a move that will no doubt please longtime fans of the show. During the evening scene, you see the heavily pregnant Whitney (played by Shona) getting into trouble while trying to keep an eye out for a young mysterious girl.

In 2008, Whitney was groomed and abused by her mother’s on-screen partner and in 2020 she murdered the deranged Leo King to mark the soap’s 35th anniversary.

It is thought that Shona will pursue a singing career, something she is not shying away from.

The source said The sun: ‘In addition to acting, Shona also loves singing and has a real musical talent, so that is a possibility.’

The star narrowly missed out on winning Best Leading Performer at the British Soap Awards last year, but EastEnders took home the big prize: Best British Soap.