EastEnders’ actor Ted Reilly has confirmed that it was his decision to leave the BBC One soap following the shock announcement of his departure this afternoon.
In a tweet sent out to fans he told them that it was a “tough decision to leave, but at this stage of my career it’s very important to keep being challenged and experience new things!”
Ted messaged his fans on social media following an overwhelming response to the announcement that he would be departing Albert Square next year.
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While Ted believes he has made the right decision leaving the soap, fans have messaged him revealing how much they will miss seeing him on their screens…
He even received a message of support from his co-star, Danny-Boy Hatchard, who played his on-screen brother, Lee Carter…
Danny-Boy, who also left the show earlier this year, told his on-screen sibling that he was looking forward to seeing what he would get up to next.
Ted has played Johnny – the son of Mick and Linda Carter – for nearly two years, taking over from Sam Strike who left the show back in 2014.
His final scenes have already been filmed and it appears that he will depart our screens in the next few weeks.
There has been speculation as to weather his exit might coincide with that of Harry Reid, who plays Ben Mitchell.
Harry has also revealed he will be leaving Walford in the coming weeks, so it is possible the pair, who are friends on screen, could be leaving together.
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Ted has already revealed he’s got his next project lined up – he’ll be appearing in a production of monologue Dean McBride at London’s Arcola Theatre in January.