Major EastEnders exit as Bobby Brazier quits after four years
The actor and Strictly Come Dancing 2023 runner-up has been inundated with job offers since reaching the final of the BBC dance show, so he's striking while the iron is hot and moving on to pastures new.
Bobby, 22, who plays Freddie Slater in the soap, will bow out later this year.
An EastEnders spokesperson confirmed to Metro: 'We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.'
Meanwhile, an insider explained that the pieces just happened to fall into place with regard to storylines and Bobby's plans.
The source told The Sun: 'Bosses had a meeting with Bobby only recently as they had a plan in mind for a storyline, and it just so happened that Bobby was also thinking that now was the right time to look for other opportunities outside the show.
'The timing of the decision worked for both, but his final scenes are not for a while yet.
'The character has had a great run, but the time is now right for Bobby to look for other opportunities, and for EastEnders to wave goodbye to Freddie Slater.'
Bobby has proven to be a real hit with EastEnders viewers since he joined, taking home the National Television Award for rising star last year.
Freddie first appeared in 2004, and he is the son of Graham Foster and Little Mo Slater.
Bobby then made his EastEnders debut by taking over the role from Alex and Tom Kilby, who last portrayed the character in 2006 when Freddie left with his mum to start a new life.
His return came when Freddie attended the wedding of his aunt, Kat Slater, and Phil Mitchell.
Since, his most memorable moments have included when he beat Theo Hawthorne unconscious with an iron and punched him multiple times, having confronted Theo for pretending to be his father.
Freddie was also given an ADHD diagnosis with the help of his old schoolteacher.
When he joined EastEnders, Bobby, whose mum is the late Jade Goody, said: 'Stepping into the acting world has always been a vision of mine, and doing that with EastEnders as a Slater is a blessing.
'I'm very grateful.'
Executive producer Chris Clenshaw also said: 'Freddie Slater is a chaotic 18-year-old with a sensitive soul. A modern-day lad who's in touch with his spiritual side.'
He called Bobby 'an amazing young addition to the EastEnders cast, who brings heart and humility to the role'.
In recent months, Bobby has reached new heights of stardom, confessing to the Daily Mail that he had 'spent lots of money' after his Strictly success.
He also laughed when quizzed about rumours that he was set for Hollywood after impressing the nation with his performance abilities. More Trending
'You kind of just take it as it comes, and nothing really changes,' he said.
'There's what everyone sees, and then there's your life, and I'm too invested in my own life to get wrapped up in what everyone else says and is talking about.'
He said similar to Metro in 2023 while Strictly was still airing, where Bobby was paired with Dianne Buswell.
'I just trust that I'll always be OK and that life will take me where it's meant to take me.'
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MORE: Freddy Brazier reveals truth behind broken relationship with dad Jeff
MORE: Freddy Brazier announces he's entering rehab to have a 'healthy relationship' with dad Jeff
MORE: Freddy Brazier 'smokes joint' with grandmother Jackiey Budden after dad's 'legal action'
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