EastEnders actress Tameka Empson is taking a break from the soap after it was revealed she is 'heavily pregnant'.
The 36-year-old - who plays Kim Fox - disappeared from Albert Square suddenly a few weeks ago, with her absence explained as her being on a romantic holiday with a man 'she met in the queue in the kebab shop'.
But according to the Mirror the move was simply to allow the actress to have time off as her due date looms - with news of her pregnancy having been kept under wraps until now.
"All the cast and crew are delighted for Tameka, she has managed to keep working and also keep her pregnancy a secret," a source told the paper.
“There is not long to go now until the birth so she is taking some time off because it is her first baby and she wants to get everything ready.
“She may pop up now and again and will be welcomed back with open arms after some time off with the baby.”
Viewers will see Tameka on Monday night's EastEnders in a Skype conversation with sister Denise, in which she reveals that she has taken her romance with her new boyfriend a step further.
The actress, who previously found fame on the sketch show 3 Non Blondes, has been a part of the soap since 2009.
