By Liam de Brun

Copyright manchestereveningnews

EastEnders star Kellie Bright has said ‘finally’, while providing a major career update amid Linda Carter’s absence from the soap. The actress has been playing the role of Linda on the BBC programme since 2013, instantly becoming a fan favourite character through her relationship with Danny Dyer’s Mick Carter. Over the years, Kellie has received critical praise for her portrayal of Linda’s frequent struggles with alcoholism, including an episode last year where she decided to go sober for good. Linda was last seen saying goodbye to Walford back in July as she headed for a cruise after selling the Queen Vic to Kat and Stacey Slater . Deciding that she wants to try something new in life, Linda has not been seen in two months in spite of her son Johnny Carter already arriving back in Walford from the trip. Fans are eager for her to make her comeback, with Jake Wood’s Max Branning on Albert Square for the first time since 2021. Max remains unaware that their affair several years ago resulted in the birth of Linda’s youngest child Annie Carter. It’s now been announced that Kellie will be fronting a new Panorama special, titled Autism, School and Families. The special episode sees Kellie meeting families who are fighting to get the right education for their autistic children. Each of the three families featured in the programme are applying to their councils for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), a document which provides extra support. The synopsis reads: “Kellie learns that a crisis in funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities is contributing to financial trouble for many local authorities and that the government is promising reform.” Drawing on her own experience as a mother to an autistic son, Kellie spent six months discussing what help could aid the parents and discussing with the children why they find school difficult. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday evening (October 1), Kellie expressed her excitement for the programme being aired after her hard work. She wrote: “Finally….. @bbcpanorama Monday Night. BBC 1. 8pm. For all the SEND families out there who are still fighting to get the right support for their child. “This one is from my heart to yours. #send #sendcrisis.” Panorama: Kellie Bright – Autism, School and Families on the Edge airs on Monday, October 6, at 8pm on BBC One.