EASTENDERS star Clay Milner Russell has quit the BBC soap.
The actor - who plays Bobby Beale - is walking away from the role after five years.
Is Bobby Beale leaving EastEnders?
On April 15, 2024, it was reported that Clay would be leaving EastEnders after half a decade on the soap.
An EastEnders spokeswoman confirmed the news saying: “We can confirm that Clay will be leaving EastEnders later on this year, and we wish him the best for the future.”
The reason for his exit is that he is seeking new challenges away from EastEnders and wants to play different types of roles.
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A source said: “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.”
Apart from EastEnders, Clay has starred in 2016's Graffiti and 2019's County Lines.
When is Bobby Beale leaving EastEnders?
Clay is said to be waving goodbye to his character in the BBC soap later this year.
As of April 2024, no date has been confirmed.
How will Bobby Beale leave EastEnders?
The BBC has yet to reveal how his exit storyline will unfold.
However, the soap has reportedly been left open for Bobby (and Clay) to return so that he won't be killed off.
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