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'EastEnders' star Milly Zero shares heartfelt goodbye to on-screen rival Maisie Smith

EastEnders' Milly Zero is losing her on-screen rival. (BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
EastEnders' Milly Zero is losing her on-screen rival. (BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)

EastEnders star Milly Zero has shared a sweet goodbye to her co-star Maisie Smith, who recently announced she will be leaving the soap.

While their characters Dotty Cotton (Zero) and Tiffany Butcher (Smith) may be mortal frenemies, the two actors are good friends.

In a recent post to her Instagram stories, Zero shared a snap of them on set, captioning it: "Work won't be the same without you, you will be so missed."

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"But go spread your wings, the world ain't ready," she added.

Watch: Eastenders spoilers

EastEnders star Milly Zero wishes Maisie Smith the best as she departs from the soap. (Instagram)
EastEnders star Milly Zero wishes Maisie Smith the best as she departs from the soap. (Instagram)

Zero signed off the post with "#NFI", which fans of the BBC One soap will know stands for "Not Flippin' Invited" a somewhat iconic comeback that Tiff has used on Dotty multiple times on the series.

Confirming her exit last week, Smith wrote in a statement: “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 6-year-old."

The star filmed her last scenes last week but will still appear in her role till the end of the year.

Zero and Smith's relationship on screen is completely opposite to real life. (BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
Milly Zero and Maisie Smith's relationship is completely different off-screen. (BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)

As for what will lead to Tiff’s departure from Albert Square, EastEnders heads are keeping details of her storyline under wraps.

However, in recent weeks her husband Keegan Baker engaged in an affair with Dotty, worsening the two women's rivalry, which could escalate with dramatic consequences.

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The return of Tiff’s brother Liam is also bringing about suspicion that it doesn’t look like he is back with the best of intentions.

The soap’s executive producer Jon Sen has confirmed he remains open to seeing Smith return, so Tiff might be leaving while still holding on to her life.

EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One.

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