I can think of 25 characters who are leaving Eastenders or who have left in the last year (some on breaks): Natalie, Barry, Laura, Janine, Paul, Mark, Lisa, Dan, Phil, Peggy, Little Mo, Shirley, Gavin, Robbie and Nita. Kelly, Sharon and Lynne will soon be gone and Alfie, Kat, Andy, Billy, Ash, Big Mo and Charlie are 'rumoured' to be leaving too.
Yet I can only think of one new person: Chrissie. It will be interesting to see this year's cast photo (if there is one), because it sure looks like they need to get some new characters.

The square will just be empty.

It will just be half an hour of watching Chrissie work.

Well Mickey's family are coming in but I don't think there will be as many as 25.

I thought Juley was going as well.

don't forget though, since the departure of the likes of Robbe and Nita, we've had the entrances of the Moons

I think it fairly averages itself out.

I don't know about the rest but I really don't think they'll get rid of Alfie and Kat because they're so popular. Jessie will probably be going for a few months though because she's pregnant unless Kat gets pregnant aswell.

Jessie will still have to take maternity leave so Kat will have to go for a while. In the meantime, they will probably buy her a big handbag to hide the bump like they did with Cindy when Michelle Collins was pregnant.

Does anyone still care? :yawn:

Well if you don't care why did you take the time to reply?

They've had a few characters like Mickey, Juley and Yolande who've come in gradually, rather than making a big entrance. Maybe a new family is what the show needs.

Not me anyway AND if anyone asks why I took the time to reply its cause I'm at work, bored and while checking this out and posting the odd reply at least I look like I'm doing something.

LOL Thats why most people reply to the terminally boring EE threads

In an interview in the Observer last weekend, Jessie said the pregnancy is not being written into the script, and she is going to have to spend several months standing behind the bar to hide the bump.

Fair point but a lot of these characters who left were new/newish: Dan, Shirley, Gavin, Nita, Sharon(only back 2years or so), Alfie and Ash. I prefer characters joining subtley in groups of one or two, not big family groups who are self-revolving.

I don't think Kat and Alfie will be going anywhere, unless they themselves quit. Alfie and Kat are too popular to be gotten rid of. I do think a new family is needed in Albert Square. However, the writers are probably scratching their heads trying to think up storylines at the moment for the current cast.

really are you serious??????

ooooo im so excited, this will be the most interesting storyline in EE lately i cant wait