Say it ain’t so, Shane Richie!
The actor, who plays cheeky Alfie Moon in the BBC One soap, is leaving EastEnders to get his own six-part spin-off series with screen wife Kat, played by Jessie Wallace.
In the show, viewers will finally get to see the troubled couple find happiness as they start a new life together in Ireland…
… and, as it turns out, it could just be the last we’ll ever see of them.
Speaking at the Downton Abbey Centre Point Ball, Shane, 51, said of EastEnders: “I’m out of it now. You’ll see.”
This could be something to do with the fact that Shane has work lined up elsewhere, including a role BBC drama series Moving On.
He said of the role: "It's really nice because Alfie is not in it."
Shane’s love interest in the new series will be played by Julie Hesmondhalgh, 45, who shot to fame as Hayley Cropper in rival soap Coronation Street.
Speaking about their friendship, Shane said: "Julie and I were talking about the differences and there isn't any.
“We all have the same angst, the same commitment, the same passion for our shows."
Shane joined EastEnders in 2002 and became one of its best-loved characters. He left in 2005 but returned five years later.
Will you be sad to see him leave Walford again? Let us know via the comments box below now.