EastEnders fans must prepare to say goodbye to five more iconic characters as the BBC soap goes ahead with a mass cull.
Five actors – including Ricky Champ, who has played Stuart Highway since 2009 – will reportedly be filming their final scenes in the coming months.
The shake-up comes amid Stuart’s breast cancer storyline, which has also seen him battle post-natal depression as he struggles to bond with baby Roland.
Ricky will film his final scenes later this year, Metro has reported.
He isn’t the only one preparing to bid adieu to Walford, as Dana Monroe star Barbara Smith and Peter Beale actor Dayle Hudson will also be leaving – after a dramatic storyline which sees them share a kiss.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
And Kelsey Calladine-Smith, who plays Jada Lennox, will also be exiting the programme in the new few months.
Danielle Harold completes the mass exodus after she was recently announced as leaving, with her character Lola Pearce killed off in a major soap twist.
A source told MailOnline: “Whenever a new boss comes in there’s always going to be big changes and it’s no different with Chris.
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
“He’s been working hard behind the scenes since January and is really planning to shake things up which means saying goodbye to some characters.”
They added: “It’s nothing personal to any of the cast going, it’s simply a creative decision – for big storylines to happen you have to say goodbye people, that’s the nature of soap.”
The soap insider added that some “really big” storylines are set to air on EastEnders this summer, with new boss Chris Clenshaw keen to bring the show “back to its roots”.
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
This will also include “building up the clans” once more, with the introduction of the new Baker family announced last week.
Soap bosses have announced that Mitch’s estranged brother and two nephews turn up in Albert Square, and already promise to be big trouble.
Chris Clenshaw said of the news: “The Baker Family bring a fresh, fierce, fun and exciting energy to the Square. Felix and Finlay are two very different firecrackers and, yes, these brothers fall out, take the mick and challenge each other, but none of that compares to their unswerving love and loyalty they have for one another.
“They may be charming young men, full of sass, swagger and strength but these brothers are Bakers and, like their father, Avery, have their own unique way of surviving.
“Omar, Matthew and Ashley all bring star quality to EastEnders and we’re excited to see them bring Avery, Felix and Finlay to life.
“The Baker family are the just the start of some new faces landing in Walford later this year – so watch this space…”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
