Vincent Hubbard CONFIRMED
Richard Blackwood has confirmed he’ll be leaving the BBC One soap later this year. Speaking in March the actor who has played Vincent since 2015 said: “I have loved every minute of my time at EastEnders and although I will be sad to say goodbye, after three years it feels the right time to leave.”
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It’s since been revealed that the decision to leave wasn’t entirely mutual as the EE bosses decided not to review Richard’s contract. He told So Solid’s Harvey on his YouTube channel: “There was no bad vibe between me and EastEnders about leaving.
“It just so happened that I came to the end of my contract and they weren’t going to renew it.”
Michelle Fowler CONFIRMED
Jenna Russell arrived in Albert Square in December 2016 and is departing as Michelle Fowler after just 14 months in the role. During her time in the Square she’s had a steamy fling with a teenage boy and been stalked by a creepy man who thought she looked like his dead wife. And we can’t even get a text back.
An EastEnders rep said of Jenna’s departure: “Jenna is a terrific actress who has loved her time on the show playing Michelle and it was a mutual decision to write the character out.”
Woody Woodward CONFIRMED
Lee Ryan will be leaving Walford for good later this year, it was confirmed in March. And EastEnders spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Lee will be leaving EastEnders when his storyline concludes this spring.”
A soap insider told Metro.co.uk: “Woody will be back on screen for a final storyline across several weeks but, as ever in soap, decisions have to be made when contracts are up for renewal. At this point, it was decided that Woody’s storyline will be coming to a natural end and viewers can find out how he departs this spring.”
Lee told The Sun: “I cannot express enough gratitude to EastEnders for the opportunity they have given me. I’ve had a great time and loved every minute of it and I’m looking forward to my future projects.”
Joyce Murray CONFIRMED
Maggie Steed who plays Joyce is leaving the BBC One soap after less than a year of playing Ted Murray’s wife Joyce. The character will be seen passing away in her sleep, leaving Ted devastated in upcoming scenes.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Joyce’s time on the Square has been a brief one and, after her death, Ted will come out of his shell a bit and viewers will see more of him.”
Shakil Kazemi RUMOURED
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The BBC confirmed that they would be tackling a hard-hitting knife crime story later this year. They’ve been working with former EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella, who lost her brother Ben to knife crime ten years ago.
The story, which will start next month, will feature Shakil Kazemi and Keegan Baker. It’s been heavily rumoured that Shakil – played by Shaheen Jafargholi – will lose his life. The soap have said they don’t comment on storyline speculation.
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