EastEnders have confirmed that Brian Conley is leaving the soap after three years.
The 62-year-old actor has been playing Thomas “Rocky” Cotton since May 2021, but is now turning to new projects.
The BBC said in a statement on Wednesday that it supported his decision and rejected claims of a feud and that he had asked to be axed from the show.
Brian also took to his Instagram grid to confirm the news and further refute claims that there was a disagreement.
The Sun claimed on Tuesday night that BBC bosses were “furious” about his departure as they had planned major storylines around his character.
Moving on to new projects, EastEnders has confirmed that Brian Conley is leaving the soap after three years
Role: The 62-year-old actor has been playing Thomas “Rocky” Cotton since May 2021, but is now devoting himself to new projects
EastEnders said in a statement: “We can confirm that Brian Conley will be leaving EastEnders.”
“There is absolutely no truth to the claims of a feud with bosses and the show fully supports Brian in his decision to leave the series some time ago.”
“We wish him the best of luck for the future as we continue to work on his exit story, which has been in the works for some time.”
Meanwhile, Brian said in a social media video: “Hello, it’s me 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 will leave. I made this decision for many reasons.” It was hard because they are such a wonderful audience in front of and behind the cameras and I really enjoyed my three years there.
‘That’s the truth. There are reports that I have clashed and cussed, but I don’t cuss. I left with their blessing, the Beeb, and I’m excited about the future and where it goes, and I’m looking forward to Rocky’s departure because it’s a good one!
“So sending you lots of love to all you EastEnders fans and enough said!”
This comes after Brian revealed in June that he could be facing bankruptcy in this year’s Christmas cliffhanger.
The actor told host Steph McGovern’s Steph’s Packed Lunch that the BBC1 soap plans to film several different endings for this year’s Christmas episode to keep viewers guessing.
Have your say: The BBC said in a statement on Wednesday that it supported his decision and had rejected claims of a feud and that he had called for him to be axed from the show
Words: Brian also took to his Instagram grid to confirm the news and further refute claims that there was a disagreement
Unexpected: EastEnders said in a statement: “We can confirm that Brian Conley will be leaving EastEnders.”
He said: “We had a lovely episode in February where we’re getting ready for Christmas and someone’s dead in The Vic and Letitia and there’s wearing a wedding dress and they’re covered in blood.
“So everyone goes, ‘Oh my God, who’s dead?’, as do all the actors on the show, and all you saw was that it was a man, or was it, I don’t know.”
“You just saw the cufflinks and I think everyone has been looking for these cufflinks for some time.”
When Steph asked if the cast knew who the victim was, Brain replied, “None of us have any idea.”
“I think there will be ten of us there by Christmas, so it will be a big surprise for us too.”
Disturbance: The Sun claimed on Tuesday night that BBC bosses were “furious” about his departure as they had planned major storylines around his character
Happy: Just last week before his announced exit, Brian was seen posing and smiling with the cast at the NTAs
Secret: It comes after it was revealed in June that he could be facing elimination in this year’s Christmas cliffhanger
“Maybe we’ll all film a moment where we’re all on the floor and then they can reveal who it is until the last minute on Christmas Day.”
When asked if he was afraid of potentially being killed, Brian said: “You’re in an ongoing drama, so you know people are dying and you’re living on tenterhooks, especially if you’re enjoying it, and we all are , them.” You’re a great bunch, all of you there.
“I’m really excited to be involved 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 hosted The Royal Variety Performance eight times.