Charlie Brooks wheels a suitcase through the city centre in Manchester 

She’s set to depart EastEnders at the tail-end of this year, with her final episode airing on Boxing Day.

And Charlie Brooks wrapped up warm as she stepped out for a stroll in Manchester on Christmas Eve.

The actress, 41, who plays Janine Butcher on the soap, sported a red and black plaid coat which she wore over a dark top.

The soap star also donned a pair of black trousers and multi-coloured trainers as she wheeled a suitcase through the city.

Letting her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders, Charlie completed her look with a pair of sunglasses. 

It comes after the actress admitted that while she’s loved her time on the soap, she’s looking forward to going onto a more ‘grown up’ job.

Swapping the screen for the stage, the actress is moving onto a National Theatre tour in the new year.

Casual: The actress, 41, who plays Janine Butcher on the soap, sported a red and black plaid coat which she wore over a dark top

Appearing on Loose Women, Charlie admitted that she ‘loves’ her character and the show, but is filled with excitement for the new chapter. 

‘How did you feel leaving this time, are you looking forward to passages new because I know you’ve got new projects coming up?’ questioned panellist Denise Welch.

The actress then explained:  ‘I love going back and I love leaving and I’m doing something really exciting at the moment, I’m working with the National Theatre and we’re taking a production of the Ocean At The End Of The Lane on tour.’

‘I obviously love Janine and I love EastEnders, but I am excited for pastures new and a grown-up job,’ she continued while getting giddy over the new theatre role.

Outfit: The soap star also donned a pair of black trousers and multi-coloured trainers as she wheeled a suitcase through the city

The production is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman and adapted by Joel Horwood.

But before that, Charlie teased that her departure from EastEnders will come in the form of ‘high drama’ episodes around the festive period.

Discussing what’s to come on the soap, she managed to stay very tight-lipped on the plot while the Loose Women panel probed for answers. 

‘Someone is definitely gonna die, they always do in EastEnders,’ predicted Jane Moore as Linda Robson then exclaimed: ‘Are you gonna kill someone again?’ 

Charlie replied: ‘No! You’ll have to wait and see, you’ll have to watch it and ring me up after.’

On-screen: Charlie set to depart her role as Janine Butcher on EastEnders at the tail-end of this year, with her final episode airing on Boxing Day

The actress revealed that she was once again leaving the soap back in September, following an 18-month-stint where she revisited her typically villanious character.

She has played Janine on-and-off since 1999, and joked that the local ‘shouldn’t outstay her welcome’ in the square.

Speaking on the departure to the Sun on Sunday, she shared that she was only ever meant to stay for a set amount of time, but extended the stint.

‘I was only ever due back to EastEnders for a year, but when [exec producer] Chris Clenshaw presented me with his idea for the story, I couldn’t say no to staying a little longer,’ said Charlie.

Continuing: ‘I’ve had an amazing time, as I always do when I go back. But as always with Janine, she probably should not outstay her welcome — for everyone’s sake.’

Talkshow appearance: Appearing on Loose Women, Charlie admitted that she ‘loves’ her character and the show, but is filled with excitement for the new chapter