Ricky Norwood, 27, has starred as lovable rogue 'Fatboy' Arthur Chubb since joining the BBC soap in 2010.
Since then, viewers have watched him woo half the women of Albert Square (including Denise Fox and Donna Yates) - although our favourite relationship by far has been his unshakeable friendship with Dot Cotton (June Brown).
He won the Best Newcomer award at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards and Most Popular Newcomer at the 2011 National Television Awards.
But, ever since his beloved Mrs B was placed behind bars following the death of her son, Nick, Fatboy just hasn’t been his usual happy self.
And it all seems as if it’s been building up to his departure from the soap.
A BBC spokesperson said: "We can confirm Ricky is leaving EastEnders. We wish him all the best for the future."
The sad news comes just a year after Ricky was suspended for being caught on camera allegedly naked and smoking cannabis.
At the time, a BBC spokesperson confirmed he had been suspended for two months with immediate effect.
They issued a statement saying: "Ricky would like to apologise to EastEnders' viewers for any offence caused and for bringing the show into disrepute."
However it is understood that the decision to write out Fatboy is not linked to that past suspension.
Will you miss Fatboy, EastEnders fans?
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