Several EastEnders stars have taken time off due to exhaustion or health concerns over the years. Here are some notable instances:

Michelle Ryan (Zoe Slater) – 2002

At just 18, Michelle Ryan faced extreme nervous exhaustion from the demanding filming schedule and emotionally intense storylines, including Zoe discovering that her sister was actually her mother. In May 2002, after going missing and being found by police, she was granted indefinite leave from the show to recover. Ryan later returned after a four-month break.

Barbara Windsor (Peggy Mitchell) – 2003 & 2009

Barbara Windsor, who portrayed Peggy Mitchell, took a two-year sabbatical in 2003 after being diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus, which left her physically drained. Co-stars expressed relief when she later decided to retire in 2009, fearing she was pushing herself too hard. (

Cheryl Fergison (Heather Trott) – Post-2012

After leaving EastEnders in 2012, Cheryl Fergison faced significant personal and financial hardships. She revealed in 2023 that she had to rely on food banks and struggled with debts. Additionally, she quit a stage role before opening night due to panic attacks and anxiety, highlighting the ongoing challenges she faced after her time on the soap.

Martine McCutcheon (Tiffany Mitchell) – 2023

Martine McCutcheon announced in 2023 that she was taking a break from acting to focus on her health and wellbeing. She described the decision as “life-changing,” allowing her to prioritize self-care after years of continuous work since childhood.

These instances underscore the intense pressures faced by soap actors and the importance of taking time off to address health and wellbeing.