Samantha Womack's relaxing break

3 January 2017

Samantha Womack has celebrated her 'EastEnders' departure with a spa trip.

Samantha Womack

The 44-year-old actress bowed out from the soap after almost 10 years when her and co-star Rita Simons' characters, sisters Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell, drowned in shocking scenes on New Year's Day (01.01.17), and the blonde beauty is already making the most of having more free time, enjoying a relaxing break with 'Loose Women' panelist Stacey Solomon.

She tweeted: "Started my day off at @champneys with a....... swim in the pool!Pleased to announce I am now enjoying breakfast. Thank you champneys Tring x

"@champneys @StaceySolomon Thank you for being my Spa partner (sic)"

Though Stacey enjoyed spending time with her pal, she wasn't happy about her exit from Walford.

The bubbly star replied to Samantha: "I [heart] u! Had the best @champneys with u! But cried my eyes out last night watching @bbceastenders that was not the happy ending I wanted!(sic)"

Samantha admitted she had been left "broken" by her exit scenes, which saw Ronnie drown just hours after tying the knot with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) after she tried to save her beloved sister.

She posted: "I'm sorry I can't respond to any comments..I'm honestly broken. An appropriate end to the darkest year ever.@OfficialRita @RealScottMaslen (sic)"

Meanwhile, Rita shared her sentiments on her own Twitter page.

She posted: "Thank you all for your lovely tweets. I don't really have words right now. But words will come.. in good time #R&R (sic)"

And the two actresses' co-stars were equally devastated by their departures.

Scott posted: "End of an era! #ronnieandroxy loved working with @sam_womack and @OfficialRita #eastenders #sadtimes thanks for all the tweets! (sic)"

Jake Wood, who recently returned to the soap as Jack's brother Max Branning, tweeted: "To the amazingly talented @OfficialRita @Sam_Womack the show and viewers will miss you both. Love always xxx (sic)"

The former 'Strictly Come Dancing' contestant also heaped praise on his on-screen brother for his portrayal of grief-stricken Jack.

He added: "Thank you for all your comments for tonight's ep. I read them all. And I agree, @RealScottMaslen always knocks it out the park (sic)"

Danny Dyer, who plays Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter, praised the "beautifully complex" Ronnie and Roxy.

He wrote: "Two beautifully complex Eastenders Icons. On screen chemistry personified. Nothing but love for ya's #missed. @Sam_Womack @OfficialRita X (sic)"