EastEnders actor Clay Milner Russell, 24, is set to depart the BBC soap after five years of playing Bobby Beale. His final scenes will air later this year, as the star seeks more challenging roles.
Russell is the fifth actor to portray Bobby, who killed his sister Lucy Beale and later converted to Islam while in a young offenders institute. His character has recently been in a relationship with step-sister Anna Knight (Molly Rainford).
A source told The Sun: '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.' The door is reportedly being left open for a potential return.
An EastEnders spokesperson confirmed: 'We can confirm that Clay will be leaving EastEnders later this year, we wish him all the best for the future.'
Meanwhile, co-star Bobby Brazier, who plays Freddie Slater, has renewed his contract after reportedly considering quitting following his Strictly Come Dancing success.
