Painting the town red: Patsy Palmer leads EastEnders' stars on a ginger night out

Actress Patsy Palmer, 36, who stars as single mother Bianca, Charlie Clements, 21, who plays Stacey Slater's husband Bradley, and Jake Wood, 36, love-rat Max Branning in the soap, stepped out for dinner at celebrity haunt The Ivy last night. 

Apart from their association with the long-running BBC soap, the trio also have one very noticeable asset in common - their flame red hair.

Gingers reunited: Patsy Palmer led a night out of EastEnders red-headed cast members

Although Wood's 'barnet' - as they might say in EastEnders - has somewhat thinned over the years, he is still recognisable as part of the exclusive group.

Clearly, the three have bonded on and off of the set of the soap which is known for its friendly working atmosphere. 

Meanwhile veteran star Bobby Davro has announced he is leaving the soap.

He has been approached to feature in a lucrative new project, as well as a Christmas pantomime.

Knock down ginger: Charlie Clements (Bradley) and Jake Wood (Max) joined Patsy for dinner in London last night

Davro told the Mirror: 'I have had a fantastic year with EastEnders and made lots of friends. I hope to be back at some point.'

Executive producer Diederick Santer added: 'We've really enjoyed having Bobby with us at EastEnders. I hope this is not so much goodbye as see you later.'

Davro is set to bow out later in the year, but his on-screen son Callum (played by Elliott Jordan) who appears for the first time next month, will provide him with a link to Albert Square.

A show source added: 'Bobby has been a real hit with fans and it has been mutually agreed he will leave the show shortly but a return is quite possible.

'With his on-screen son set to arrive, that will enable him to visit Walford next year if he has to come back to sort out any problems.'