Bobby Beale’s just bowed out of EastEnders after leaving Walford to go and live with Jane Beale over in the Cotswolds following Anna Knight’s cheating betrayal. He’s one of several faces leaving the Square this year.
But never fear, there are plenty of comebacks to keep us entertained too!
Here’s a round up of who is leaving, returning and joining the cast of EastEnders in 2024.
Who’s leaving EastEnders in 2024?
Nish Panesar
Walford villain Nish Panesar is leaving the soap after a good two year run in Walford.
Taking the blame for the murder of Keanu, Nish covered for ‘The Six’ and was arrested by police. He was looking to spend his final, dying days in prison.
With EastEnders confirming that these were Nish’s last scenes, Nish left the soap on Halloween. It looks like this is the last we’ll be seeing of him!
Bobby Beale
Clay Milner Russell has been a big part of EastEnders since he took on the role of Bobby Beale in 2019.
Earlier this year, a source told The Sun: “Clay’s a talented actor and he’s ambitious. He was never going to stay in EastEnders forever. He’s loved playing Bobby but he became an actor to play all kinds of roles and he wants to do that. The door is being left open but for now it’s a definite goodbye.”
“Clay is a young actor so he wants to use these years to try his hand at other roles. He absolutely loves working on EastEnders and has made such great friends on the show so it was really difficult for him to make that decision, but having been a part of the show since 2019, he now feels like the time is right to explore other options.”
Bobby left to soap in September 2024, as scenes saw the character go to live with Jane Beale in the Cotswolds following Anna Knight’s cheating betrayal with Freddie Slater.
Whitney Dean
Whit has been in the show since she was a teenager – 15 years ago.
Since then she’s been through all sorts of heartache, including the shocking reveal that as a teen she had been groomed and raped by Tony King.
She’s been sexually exploited, she’s been married and divorced, jilted at the altar, snogged married Mick Carter, said a tragic goodbye to her baby, Peach, and even killed her stalker in self defence!
However, actress Shona McGarty announced her decision to leave the role last summer. Speaking to The Sun, Shona said: “I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show. I have been trusted with some incredible storylines and have made amazing friendships — and family — which will endure.”
Whitney exited the soap on Thursday May 23. She had just given birth to baby Dolly, but had no idea her fiancé and baby daddy Zack Hudson had slept with her best mate Lauren Branning.
But foster daughter Britney knew – and revealed all at the wedding on Monday May 20. Whitney and Britney then left Walford with baby Dolly for a new life together.
Dean Wicks
Dean was framed for ‘The Six’s’ murder of Keanu Taylor at Christmas, after making a comeback to the soap in 2023.
Linda made out that she saw Dean carrying what looked like a body into the cafe.
Whilst in court, Dean ended up admitting to the rape of Linda whilst trying to stop himself going down for murder.
Linda ended up fessing up about killing Keanu but the police didn’t take her seriously. Instead, Dean was sent to prison, marking the end of his stint on the soap.
Who else is leaving EastEnders in 2024?
Ben Mitchell
Max Bowden left his role as Ben Mitchell earlier this year, in March 2024.
The scenes saw Ben get arrested for committing credit card fraud whilst in America last year.
Ben was denied bail and was deemed a flight risk, being flown out to America and jailed over there.
Lexi, Callum and the rest of Ben’s family were distraught over the news.
Gloria and Eddie Knight
This year, George found out that his adoptive father Eddie had paid his biological father to adopt him. Eddie had then killed George’s dad in a racist attack.
Eddie ended up going to prison for this whilst Gloria ended up dying in hospital with George by her side after having a heart attack.
Stevie Mitchell
Billy’s dad, Stevie Mitchell, left Walford this year after just reuniting with his son.
He lied that he’d stolen the charity fundraiser money so that he could protect the true thief, grandson Will.
Stevie realised that he’d ruined his relationship with his family and left Walford.
Who’s returning to EastEnders in 2024?
Bianca Jackson
Bianca briefly returned for a couple of months earlier this year to take part in Whitney’s exit storyline. However, after admitting to having depression, she could be seen driving out of Walford in her mate’s taco van.
It has now been confirmed that Bianca will be returning to the Square once again in September 2024. She’ll return and start accusing Reiss of being the one to kill Debbie Colwell as she desperately tries to save Sonia.
It will become clear that Bianca is still struggling with her mental health. But, will she get the support she needs?
Freddie Slater
Actor Bobby Brazier took some time out from Walford to enjoy his stint on Strictly and then compete in the tour. On-screen he attacked Stacey Slater’s stalker Theo and left him in a coma. Freddie was eventually cleared, but had been staying with his mum, Little Mo, to get away from it all.
He then returned to the soap this year along with Big Mo, soon getting himself caught up in a love triangle with Anna Knight and best mate, Bobby Beale.
Freddie ended up kissing Anna, with Bobby witnessing the kiss. This moment marked the end of Bobby and Freddie’s friendship as Bobby left Walford.
Big Mo Slater
Mo Harris’ return to EastEnders occurred this spring. Laila Morse reprised her role and after several guest stints since her departure in 2021, this time she’s back for good.
First arriving in 2000, Mo’s one-liners and dodgy deals quickly made her a fan-favourite. She left Walford in 2021 to go on a cruise with fiancé Fat Elvis.
She’s been living in her caravan and then decided the time was right to come back with great-grandson Freddie.
On her return, Laila Morse said: “I’m delighted to be coming home to Walford to bring Mo back to life. EastEnders holds such a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to be reunited with my on screen family, who are like my family, as well as old and new faces.”
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome back Laila Morse to the role of Mo Harris. Although her time away from the Square has been short-lived, the Slater family has endured a huge amount of drama since she last appeared on screen and Mo’s return will be no different. We’re delighted to welcome Laila back permanently as she is thrust into the heart of the drama alongside great-grandson Freddie [played by Bobby Brazier].”
Shirley Carter
It’s fair to say Walford hasn’t been kind to Shirley Carter. She left at the end of December 2022 after her son, Mick Carter disappeared at sea.
Following the death of her sister Tina Carter the previous year, she felt too haunted by their ghosts to stick around. However, the good news is Shirl will return – we think!
An EastEnders spokesperson told Digital Spy: “Linda Henry will be returning to EastEnders.”
But this was a while ago and we’re still waiting! Dean Wicks suggested his mum was in hospital after having a mental breakdown. But can he be trusted to tell the truth? Is she really struggling? How long before we see her in Walford again?
Kim Fox and Howie Danes
After being offered a job on a cruise ship, Kim Fox and Howie Danes departed in March 2024. But the good news for Kim Fox fans is that they soon came back to Walford.
On The One Show on Monday January 23, actress Tameka Empson told hosts Gethin Jones and Lauren Laverne: “Kim’s going to be all right, she’s going to be okay. She’s going off on a cruise with Howie and the kids. Don’t stress with her, she’s going to be fine.”
Then she added: “But it’s giving me a little bit of a break to do a project that I am so passionate about.”
Tameka took a break to star in The Big Life, a musical she co-wrote 20 years ago. She was away from EastEnders for around three months.
Karen Taylor
Lorraine Stanley left EastEnders as Karen Taylor in December 2023. Karen had fleeced Phil Mitchell and gone on the run to Spain. However she had already reprised her role earlier this year when she returned looking for her ‘missing’ son Keanu.
Of course, what she didn’t know was that Keanu was dead and buried under the cafe. His body was eventually exposed, but Karen had already gone back to Spain by that point. Daughter Bernie then visited her to break the news of Keanu’s death.
Dean Wicks is in prison for killing him, however we all know Linda Carter and The Six were behind his demise.
Karen returned in episodes this summer, but didn’t get anywhere with finding out what happened to Keanu, leaving once more.
Chrissie Watts
Walford killer, Chrissie Watts returned to EastEnders this year for a brief appearance in prison. Sharon had been jailed for seven days and was put in the cell next door to her father’s killer.
Chrissie cornered Sharon and threatened her in prison before being let out of prison after nineteen years inside.
Her last scene saw her jump into a flash sports car outside of The Vic with her former lover…
Jake Moon
After Chrissie told Sharon that she was pregnant with Jake Moon’s baby before she lost it when she was originally put inside, Chrissie was once again a free woman.
She reunited with her former lover outside of The Vic, before he drove her off into the sunset. Jake was only seen for a brief 30 seconds, but his return had a huge impact. It put an end to the theories that Jake had died in 2006.
Jane Beale
Cindy was suspicious of Ian this year as he was clearly keeping something from her.
Following him to an address in the Cotswolds, Cindy soon faced Jane Beale.
Jane had wanted to surprise Bobby for his birthday, soon reuniting with both Bobby and Peter. It was also revealed that Jane looked to be in a relationship with Masood.
In Bobby Beale’s final scenes on the soap, Jane returned to pick him up before driving him out of the Square to come and live with her in the Cotswolds.
Ruby Allen
Chrissie Watts revealed to Sharon that Ruby Allen had been transferred to the mother-and-baby unit of the prison and had given birth… with presumably, Martin’s baby.
This comes as it was announced that Ruby Allen will be returning to the soap ahead of its 40th anniversary.
On her return, Louisa Lytton shared: “I am thrilled to have been asked back to the Square to revisit Ruby once more, and to shed some light on what the past three years have been like for her during her time away from Walford. I’ve always loved playing Ruby as there is never a dull moment and I cannot wait for everyone to see what Ruby has in store.”
David Wicks
Another return on the cards is that of David Wicks. He’ll be setting foot back in Walford for a short stint later this year.
Michael French will reprise the role, last being seen in the Square in 2014.
Michael shared: “I feel honoured to be asked to reprise the role of David Wicks once again. It may only be a brief visit, but we know from his past that David never fails to create a lot of drama in a very short time.”
Who’s joining EastEnders?
There are also some new faces joining the Square this year.
Junior Knight
George’s son Junior arrived on the Square this year and soon embarked on an affair with Cindy Beale.
The fact that he’s the half-brother of Anna and Gina, Cindy’s kids, means that fireworks are bound to happen when the truth comes out.
The character of Junior is played by actor Micah Balfour who previously played Dr Jermaine Bailey on Emmerdale.
Kojo and Kobina
George’s biological brothers, Kojo and Kobina, visited from Ghana this year.
Kobina returned back home whilst Kojo continued to stay at The Vic with George and his family.
However, Kojo’s autism has caused him to often run off and cause worry for George. Will Kojo feel at home in Walford?
Teddy, Harry and Barney Mitchell
Three new Mitchell brothers turned up on the Square in 2024 – Teddy and his sons, Harry and Barney.
Teddy realised that he was actually Billy Mitchell’s brother as Stevie Mitchell dropped the huge bombshell on them both.
Whilst Stevie left Walford, Teddy and his sons remained put and moved into Chelsea’s old home.
Read more: Complete EastEnders cast list – meet them all here
EastEnders usually airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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**This article is updated regularly to reflect the ongoing changes in the EastEnders cast.