Fans of EastEnders have been left devastated following reports that Aaron Thiara, who plays Ravi Gulati, has quit the BBC soap after four years.
Ravi's dramatic storylines
Ravi made his debut in 2022 and quickly became involved in major plots, from drug dealing and the arrival of his estranged daughter Avani (Aaliyah James) to committing murder. In May, Ravi was admitted to a mental health unit after being diagnosed with Complex PTSD, experiencing breakdowns and an attempt to end his life.
Reported exit and fan reaction
A source told The Sun: "Aaron has been at the centre of some of the soap's biggest storylines since his arrival as bad-boy Ravi back in 2022. He's an incredibly popular member of the cast and the fans love him. He's decided to focus on new projects, but will stay on set until the end of the year to see out some juicy storylines his character has in store."
Reacting to the potential exit, one fan on X wrote: "I am absolutely devastated as Ravi was such a great character." Another said: "Noo not the news I wanted to hear!" A third added: "Oh know! Not Ravi!"
Kellie Bright's departure
The news follows Kellie Bright's announcement that she is leaving the soap. Bright, who has played Linda since 2013, said: "EastEnders has been my home for thirteen years and I have absolutely loved being part of the show, but I have decided that it is now the right time for me to say goodbye. I made the tough decision over a year ago, and after discussing this with Kate Oates and Ben Wadey, they asked me to stay on to be part of an exciting storyline they had planned, and I happily agreed to extend my stay. I will miss my friends and colleagues hugely, but I am looking forward to my next chapter and spending more time with my wonderful boys."
EastEnders had no comment when approached. The soap airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.
