EastEnders CONFIRM Brian Conley is leaving the soap as he denies claims of a clash with BBC bosses over abrupt exit: ‘I have gone with their blessing’

EastEnders has confirmed that Brian Conley is leaving the soap after three years.

The actor, 62, has been playing Thomas ‘Rocky’ Cotton since May 2021, but will not be moving forward with any new projects.

The BBC said in a statement on Wednesday that they supported his decision and denied claims of a feud and that he had demanded to be written out of the show.

Brian also took to his Instagram grid to confirm the news and further refuted claims that there had been disagreements.

The sun had claimed on Tuesday night that BBC bosses were ‘furious’ that he was leaving as they had planned major storylines around his character.

Role: The actor, 62, has played Thomas ‘Rocky’ Cotton since May 2021, but will not continue with new projects

EastEnders said in a statement: ‘We can confirm that Brian Conley will be leaving EastEnders.

“There is absolutely no truth to claims of a feud with bosses and the show fully supports Brian in his decision to leave, which he made some time ago.

“We wish him the best of luck for the future as we continue to work on his exit storyline, which has been in the works for some time.”

Meanwhile, Brian said in a video on social media: ‘Hi, I’m Brian, aka Rocky from EastEnders. I’m just sending this message to all the fans. You may have heard reports that I’m leaving.

“It was a difficult decision, but it is true that I am going, I made that decision for many reasons. It was tough because it’s such a great audience in front of and behind the cameras and I loved my three years there.

‘That is the truth. There are reports of me clashing and going on a rampage, but I don’t do that. I went to the Beeb with their blessings and I’m excited about the future and where it’s going, and I’m excited about Rocky leaving because it’s good!

‘So sending lots of love to all the EastEnders fans and plenty has been said!’

It comes after Brian revealed in June he could face the blow in the Christmas cliffhanger this year.

The actor told host Steph McGovern Steph’s Packed Lunch that the BBC1 soap plans to film a number of different endings for this year’s Christmas Day episode, to keep viewers guessing.

Having their say: The BBC said in a statement on Wednesday that they supported his decision and denied claims of a feud and that he had demanded to be written out of the show

Words: Brian also took to his Instagram grid to confirm the news and refute further claims that there were disagreements

Unexpected: EastEnders said in a statement: ‘We can confirm that Brian Conley will be leaving EastEnders’

He said: “In February we had a lovely episode where we flash forward to Christmas, and there’s someone dead in The Vic and Letitia is there in a wedding dress and she’s covered in blood.

“So everyone goes, ‘Oh my God, who’s dead?’, as well as all the actors in the show, and all you saw was it was a man, or was it, I don’t know.

“You just saw the cufflinks and I think everyone has been looking for those cufflinks for a while.”

When asked by Steph if the cast knew who the victim was, Brain replied, “None of us have any idea.

‘I believe there may be ten of us in the run-up to Christmas, so it will be a big surprise for us too.

Disruption: The Sun had claimed on Tuesday night that BBC bosses were ‘furious’ that he was leaving because they had planned major storylines around his character

Happy: Brian was spotted posing and smiling with the cast at the NTAs last week, ahead of his announced departure

Mystery: It comes after it was revealed in June that he could face the blow in this year’s Christmas cliffhanger

“We might all film a moment where we’re all on the ground and then they can reveal who it is until the last minute on Christmas Day.”

When asked if he’s worried about possibly being killed, Brian said: “You’re in an ongoing drama, so you know people are dying and you’re living in suspense, especially if you enjoy it, and we all do.” , she It’s a lovely couple, everyone there.

“I’m really happy to be there and I just think what we’re doing now and the fact that it’s the number one soap is really exciting.”

Conley hosted The Brian Conley Show and presented the Royal Variety Performance eight times.