EASTENDERS star Ricky Champ has hinted that he’s already filmed his final scenes ahead of his soap exit.
Ricky – plays funeral director Stuart Highway on the BBC One soap – smiled for a series of snaps alongside his co-stars.
The actor posed next to Whitney Dean actress Shona McGarty and then sported a wig for pictures with Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler), James Farrar (Zack Hudson) and Scott Maslen (Jack Branning).
Ricky’s post has convinced fans that he’s already filmed his final scenes.
One wrote: “Ricky, I think EastEnders have made a huge mistake in getting rid of u mate, I think you are great in the show, I hope u have every success for the future mate.”
Another posted: “This is so great and funny. I hate the fact you leaving EastEnders.”
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A third commented: “I will miss seeing you on EastEnders. Great actor, big mistake letting you go.”
“Gutted you’re leaving, EE making a big mistake,” another disappointed fan added.
The new soap producer – who took over from outgoing boss Jon Sen earlier this year – will kick off an explosive summer with four dramatic exits.
The Celeb Report exclusively revealed that Stuart will be leaving the soap after four years.
He will be joined by Dayle Hudson, who has played Ian Beale’s son Peter since 2020.
Dana Monroe actress Barbara Smith will also leave alongside Jada Lennox star Kelsey Calladine-Smith.
A source said: “Whenever a new boss comes in there’s always going to be big changes and it’s no different with Chris.
“He’s been working hard behind the scenes since January and is really planning to shake things up which means saying goodbye to some characters.
“It’s nothing personal to any of the cast going, it’s simply a creative decision – for big storylines to happen you have to say goodbye people, that’s the nature of soap.
“Chris has some really big stories planned and viewers will see his stuff starting to air over the summer.
“He’s really keen to take the show back to its roots, build up the clans again with some big explosive long running stories. It’s an exciting time to be on the show.”
The news follows a report according to which Lola Pearce actress Danielle Harold was axed amid a boss shake-up.
Danielle first appeared in the BBC One soap in 2011, leaving Walford four years later before reprising her role in 2019.
She is said to be “in pieces” after her upcoming exit was announced as she wasn’t expecting to be given the chop.
Reports have claimed that Lola will be involved in a blockbuster storyline this summer before being killed off.
Fans are already expecting her to meet a grisly demise after she was seeing on dating apps in retaliation to her boyfriend Isaac Baptiste‘s (Stevie Basaula) infidelity abroad.
But as new executive producer Chris Clenshaw has found his mark by booting out some fan favourites, he has already thought of new additions to Albert Square.
EastEnders bosses have revealed beloved cabbie Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths) will be getting some company as his estranged brother Avery is set to arrive in Walford this summer.
