EastEnders was Scarlett Johnson's first TV role

Johnson's character, the daughter of Michelle Fowler and Den Watts, arrived in the BBC One show in January 2003.

"I've had a really good two years, enjoyed all the experiences but it's time to move on," the actress said, thanking the cast and crew.

There are no details of how Vicki will go. The soap is currently battling for viewers but producers deny a crisis.

It has been reported that Johnson will film her final scenes in October and her departure will coincide with that of her half-sister, Sharon.

Johnson, 19, had never even auditioned for TV before getting the EastEnders role in November 2002.

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The hot-tempered Vicki has been at the centre of much of the action in Walford during her time on the show, discovering a lost half-brother, Dennis, and dealing with the return of her father.

She was also caught in the middle when Dennis had an affair with Sharon, and underwent an abortion after a fling with Spencer Moon.

EastEnders had an average of 11 million viewers in April, May and June 2004 - down from an average of more than 13 million in the first three months of the year.

Executive producer Louise Berridge recently admitted that some storylines featuring the show's Ferreira family were "not our finest hour".