EastEnders star Matthew James Bailey has spoken about Craig Ingram's shocking exit, calling the storyline a powerful way to raise awareness of manipulation and abuse. Craig met his end after Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) hit him over the head with a candlestick while trying to escape his grip.
Craig's final scenes and violent turn
In the lead-up to his death, Craig had been grooming teenager Amy, whom he met while investigating Joel Marshall's attack. After losing his job over gross misconduct, he manipulated Amy into accessing her inheritance early and left the Square with her, hiding out in a grotty bedsit. When his account was frozen, Craig lashed out, hitting Amy across the face. A showdown with Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky) followed, and Amy, terrified, grabbed a candlestick and struck him. She later realised he was dead.
Bailey said the scenes showed Craig's violent tendencies for the first time. "Up until this point, you've seen the manipulation and the grooming and the lying, but now that physically manifests itself in the form of him hitting her, which is absolutely abhorrent," he told Metro. "It's horrible and it's so hard to watch and so difficult to play."
Working with Rob Kazinsky and Ellie Dadd
Bailey praised working with Rob Kazinsky, who plays Sean Slater. "To work with someone like Rob [Kazinsky] is incredible. He's such an amazing actor and such a generous actor as well," he said. He also expressed honour at helping Ellie Dadd transition Amy's character, adding, "She's going to have such a bright future ahead of her."
Reflecting on the end of Craig's storyline, Bailey said it was time Craig was caught. "He's a criminal. What he's doing is illegal," he said. "They will always get the comeuppance that they deserve, and to have Sean be a part of that and have Amy find her voice and find her courage and bravery is so powerful."
Raising awareness and what's next
Bailey said he is proud to be part of a storyline that raises awareness, working with Barnardo's and Violence Against Women. "The whole message is to tell people that manipulation comes in all forms and all shapes and sizes," he said. "There are people out there who are willing to listen and will help you."
Looking ahead, Bailey said he is taking a break before filming a World War II piece in Holland in February. He also said he would love to return to Hollyoaks as Ethan Williams. "I'd say yes in a heartbeat," he said. "I still don't think his story is finished."
His final message to EastEnders fans was one of gratitude and support. "I'm very happy to say goodbye to Craig," he said. "If you are suffering, please don't do it in silence. There are amazing charities like Barnardo's and Stop Violence Against Women. There are people who will help you."
