Janine Butcher's cliffhanger exit

EastEnders villain Janine Butcher is set to leave Albert Square on a cliffhanger - with viewers left wondering if she will abandon her baby daughter Scarlett.

Actress Charlie Brooks is being written out of the soap for a six month break amid rumours she has signed up to compete in this years Strictly Come Dancing. And the The Sun reports her dramatic exit storyline will see her storming out of Walford after a furious row with husband Michael Moon.

Viewers must wait until the scenes air in September to find out if Janine takes baby Scarlett with her, or leaves her with bad boy Michael, played by Steve John Shepherd.

Janine - who has inherited a fortune from her grandmother - reportedly leaves after testing her equally evil husband Michael's commitment to her with a suitcase stuffed with cash.

Janine's problems trusting Michael are said to come to a head when she accuses him of cheating on her with another woman. During a heated row she then asks why he forced her to destroy their prenuptial agreement before their wedding.

She apparently tells him she is leaving a suitcase with £450,000 in it in the kitchen overnight as a test of his love and loyalty. But when Michael does not run off with the money, Janine decides to leave as she feels so ashamed of what she has done.