EastEnders star Preeya Kalidas to leave soap

EastEnders star Preeya Kalidas has quit her role as Amira Shah after less than a year, the soap's bosses have confirmed.

The actress, whose character recently wed Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) in a Muslim ceremony, plans to pursue a pop career and is currently recording her first album.

A spokeswoman for the soap said: "Preeya will be leaving EastEnders later this year, but we will not comment on future storylines as we don't want to spoil the surprise for viewers."

A Walford insider added: "Preeya's exit is currently being planned and it's bound to be explosive, but what's not known is if she'll be leaving Albert Square alone - or with Syed."

Preeya, whose screen credits include East Is East, Bend It Like Beckham and medical drama Bodies, joined the BBC One soap in February last year.

A spokesman for the actress said: "At the moment she is recording her first album. It will be released later this year."