EastEnders exit: Why has Maisie Smith quit as Tiffany Butcher after 13 years?

Maisie's departure from EastEnders as Tiffany was reported earlier this year following the actress taking part in last year's edition of Strictly Come Dancing. It wasn't confirmed until a couple of months ago she was leaving the BBC soap as her current contract had come to an end with the BBC soap but the door has been left open for the youngster to return to the programme in the future. Here is everything you need to know about why Maisie has quit.

Following the reports she would be leaving earlier this year, it was suggested the actress wanted to pursue new acting opportunities.

This included trying to land a role in America, as many of her other co-stars have done in the past, including Bianca Jackson star, Patsy Palmer.

Finally in October, the soap star spoke out about her departure, stating: "It’s time to say farewell to Tiff! I’ve grown up on EastEnders since 2008, and have learnt from the best over the past 13 years.

"I’m very excited for my next challenge and thank the BBC for the opportunity they gave me as a six-year-old," she continued in a statement.

Executive producer for the show, Jon Sen, spoke for the entire cast and crew as he added: "We are all very sad to see Maisie leave."

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After a trying few months on the Square, Tiffany decided it was time for pastures new following a string of failed relationships.

Firstly, her marriage to Keegan Baker (Zack Morris) broke down after he slept with Dotty Cotton (Millie Zero) and their romance never recovered.

Secondly, she saw Aaron Monroe's (Charlie Wernham) true colours following him ordering the hate crime attack on Keegan a couple of weeks ago.

With so many troubles with men, she suggested to her brother Liam Butcher (Alfie Deegan) that she return to Germany with him.

This began a series of goodbyes to some of her loved ones in Walford, including her sister, Whitney Dean (Shona McGarthy).

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The latter tried her best to make her young sister stay, but it was Keegan who made her think twice when they spent the night together.

Tiffany wrote him a letter, in which she enclosed a signed copy of the divorce papers he had issued on her, giving him a choice.

In her final scenes, the youngster was seen at the station, ready to depart as her letter was being read by Keegan in a monologue form.

She asked him to sign the divorce papers or to meet her at the station so they could live the rest of their years together.

Unfortunately, she ended up getting on the tube and left for Germany as there was no sign of her husband at the station.