{"id":66807,"date":"2023-09-18T21:26:39","date_gmt":"2023-09-18T21:26:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordcelnews.com\/?p=66807"},"modified":"2023-09-18T21:26:39","modified_gmt":"2023-09-18T21:26:39","slug":"brian-conleys-reason-for-quitting-eastenders-amid-abrupt-departure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordcelnews.com\/tv-movies\/brian-conleys-reason-for-quitting-eastenders-amid-abrupt-departure\/","title":{"rendered":"Brian Conleys reason for quitting EastEnders amid abrupt departure"},"content":{"rendered":"

EastEnders star Brian Conley is said to have quit the hit BBC soap after he was unable to appear in various pantomime roles next year. <\/p>\n

Reports in The Sun say the actor had to choose choose between his pantomime appearances and the TV soap. <\/p>\n

The festive pantomime shows in 2024 clash with filming for EastEnders 40th anniversary, and a source has claimed that if any of the cast want to take part in the \u201cfive-week run\u201d, the soap would be unable to use them in the anniversary plans.<\/p>\n

Many soap stars are regulars on the panto circuit and Brian, 62, is said to make a six-figure sum for playing the role of Buttons in the Cinderella pantomime.<\/p>\n

EastEnders 40th anniversary falls in February 2025 and the soap is already making preparations for its landmark birthday, with filming scheduled to take place right in the middle of panto season in 2024. <\/p>\n


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A source told The Sun: \u201cOften in milestone celebratory years like the 40th anniversary, bosses need to have all cast available so that they can storyline appropriately up to and beyond December to guarantee that level of drama for audiences.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a real buzz around the anniversary with plans already underway to bring audiences some explosive storylines.<\/p>\n


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\u201cFilming for February usually takes place before Christmas, so for those wanting to do a five-week run would mean the show would be unable to use them in any of their plans relating to the anniversary.\u201d<\/p>\n

A BBC spokesperson told OK!:<\/b> "EastEnders cast take part in panto every year, but as we lead up to our milestone 40th anniversary, all cast members have been asked to be involved for storyline purposes \u2013 we\u2019ve received no complaints, in fact everyone has been supportive of the plan.<\/p>\n

"As previously stated by Brian Conley earlier in the week, EastEnders are fully supportive of Brian's decision to leave at the end of his contract, and we wish him the very best for the future," they said. <\/p>\n

Brian confirmed that he is leaving Walford earlier this week after over two years on the soap.<\/p>\n

The actor, who plays Thomas \u201cRocky\u201d Cotton on the popular show, said it had been a \u201ctough decision\u201d but denied reports that he had a \u201cclash\u201d with BBC bosses in a video posted on Instagram on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The 62-year-old said: \u201cYou may have heard reports that I\u2019m leaving EastEnders and it was a tough decision, but it is true, I am going.<\/p>\n

\u201cI made it for many reasons that decision and it\u2019s tough because they\u2019re such a wonderful crowd in front of the cameras and behind the cameras and I have loved my three years there.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s the truth in the reports.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s other parts of reports saying that I clashed with TV bosses and the crew, I didn\u2019t clash with anyone, I didn\u2019t have a rant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian said he had the \u201cblessing\u201d of the BBC to leave the show and that he was \u201cexcited\u201d about his character Rocky\u2019s exit \u201cbecause I know it\u2019s good\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n

OK! has contacted representatives for Brian for comment<\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n