All the EastEnders stars who quit in last year and why – Maisie Smith to Adam Woodyatt

Over the last 12 months, the residents of Walford have been through their fair share of ups and downs after a whirlwind of drama hit the square at full force over the Christmas period.

And EastEnders fans have been glued to their screens in recent weeks, as Gray Atkins’ prepares to meet his demise, Stuart Highway comes to terms with his breast cancer diagnosis and Phil Mitchell facing life in prison.

But one thing loyal fans can’t help but notice is the amount of TV legends leaving the beloved BBC One soap as Toby-Alexander Smith joins the slew of stars who have said goodbye to Albert Square for good.

Now, the Daily Star has taken a deep dive inside the lives of the soap stars since they left the show as fans mourn their loss online.

Maisie Smith

Maisie Smith has been on the long-standing show since she was six years old as she took on the role of the fiery redhead Tiffany Butcher.

And over the years the auburn beauty has been involved in a series of controversial storylines including her traumatic experience with lip filler her messy cheating love triangle with ex-husband Keegan Baker.

It’s fair to say that when the staple actress announced her departure from the show, doting fans up and down the country were devastated to see her go.

But since she left the show, the star has gone on to take part in the 18th series of Strictly Come Dancing last year during the peak of the pandemic.

Throughout the series she was partnered up with Gorka Marquez who dominated the dancefloor and stormed their way to the finals.

Yet the actress couldn’t leave her dancing shoes behind her as she went on to join the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour this year after BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker dropped out.

It is unknown whether Maisie will return to the soap in the future, but BBC producers have said following her TV exit that the door is always open for her to return later down the line.

Zack Morris

And it’s not just Maisie who has left viewers heartbroken as her onscreen husband Zack Morris announced his departure from the show earlier this month.

After fans of the BBC One show fell in love with the childhood sweethearts, their relationship crashed and burned after Maisie learned he had cheated on her with Dotty while she was in hospital.

When their marriage finally came to an end Tiffany jetted off to Germany leaving her ex-husband Keegan heartbroken as he mourned their broken relationship which inevitably led to his exit on the show.

But that hasn’t stopped the star from going onwards and upwards, as he revealed how he had bagged himself a role on a big blockbuster movie Jericho Ridge.

Taking to Twitter, the actor wrote: “Onto my next adventure. Let’s go! On route to the airports to start a new job just 10 days after leaving one.

“This really is the stuff of dreams. I never in a million years expected this to happen! The heard work and overtime in really starting to pay off.”

And it’s fair to say viewers can’t wait to see what the establish actor has in store for us in the near future.

Adam Woodyatt

Another beloved soap star viewers were heartbroken to let go of was none other than Ian Beale himself, Adam Woodyatt.

The actor is one of the drama’s longest-serving characters on the show to have continuously appeared on the Square.

Over the years on the show, Ian has become a local businessman specialising in catering and owned a number of businesses including Walford East, Beale’s Plaice and Kathy’s Café.

But after 36 years on the show, the doting dad decided it was time to leave the fan-favourite character behind in order to stretch his wings and enjoy other experiences as an actor.

Adam announced he was taking a break from the show back in November 2021 shortly before he appeared on the twenty first series of I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!

Due to Covid-19, the star was forced to compete the show in the heart of North Wales at Gwyrch Castle alongside Frankie Bridge, Coronation Street’s Simon Gregson and Emmerdale’s Danny Miller.

Alongside his fellow soap stars, the dad-of-two joined the show later on this series and was quickly crowned the Lords of the Castle.

But unfortunately, he lost out to new dad Danny as he stole Giovanna Fletcher’s crown in the middle of December.

Jake Wood

Jake Wood played the role of legendary ladies man Max Branning who found himself wining and dining many of the lucky ladies in the Square.

During his time on the show, the shady businessman became well-known for being a womaniser with multiple with multiple relationships and affairs.

Some of his most controversial storylines on the show includes his love affair with his daughter-in-law Stacey Slater to being buried alive.

But after 15 years on the show, the long-standing actor decided to hand ins notice as he looks to explore other acting roles on the market.

Since he left the show he has been enjoying his down time with his loving wife of 20 years Alison Wood and their two children Amber, 15, and Buster, 13.

But back in June last year, the actor announced his return to acting as he revealed his new project alongside Lily Allen, Hadley Fraser and Julia Chan.

Following in the footsteps of I’m A Celebrity winner Giovanna Fletcher, the redhead has taken on a role of Ben in the theatre production of 222 A Ghost Story.

But eagle-eyed viewers couldn’t help but hope that his character Max will return to the soap in the future.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk