BRIAN Conley has broken his silence and confirmed he is leaving EastEnders - while teasing a huge exit for his character Rocky.
The actor, 62, took to social media to confirm The Sun's exclusive story that he has quit the BBC soap.
He addressed fans on instagram, saying: "Hello lovely people its me Brian Conley aka Rocky, sending out this message especially to all the EastEnders fans.
"Now you may have heard reports that I am leaving EastEnders, and it was a tough decision but it is true – I am going, and I made the decision for many reasons.
"It is tough because there’s such a wonderful crowd in front of the camera and behind, and I loved my three years there.
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"I have gone with their blessings at the Beeb and I am excited for the future and where it’s going to go.
"I’m also excited about Rocky’s exit as I know it’s good! Sending much love, all EastEnders fans, enough said."
It comes as The Sun revealed how a row with the BBC soap’s executives led to his exit.
Writers are now racing to fit the ending of his character Tom “Rocky” Cotton into the Christmas storyline.
An insider said: “It’s all come to a head. The truth is, bosses are furious.”
Brian's frosty departure after three years is understood to have thrown long-term plotlines into chaos.
Writers had placed him at the heart of the soap’s future by marrying Rocky to show stalwart Kathy Beale, played by Gillian Taylforth.
An EastEnders insider revealed: “Brian was a brilliant signing and has been a big hit with fans.
“But it looks as though he’s just not enjoying being on EastEnders any more — and has been telling a lot of colleagues and telly friends he wanted out for a while.
“It’s all come to a head, and at the National TV Awards last week he was pretty open with co-stars and friends about his exit."
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