EastEnders star Brian Conley has announced his next role after it was reported he abruptly left his role as Thomas “Rocky” Cotton in the BBC soap.
The 62-year-old actor is embarking on a new tour titled The 3rd Farewell Tour…To Date, where he will perform an evening of comedy, music and entertainment.
Brian, who has appeared in numerous West End musicals, will open his series of shows in Peterborough on September 24th.
The official synopsis reads: “Brian Conley is back on the road with a brand new tour.” Experience an evening of comedy, music and entertainment with the multi-award winning star of the West End and countless hit TV series.
The tour then travels through the United Kingdom, stopping off in Cardiff, High Wycombe and Coventry, among others.
Unexpected: EastEnders star Brian Conley has announced his next role after it was reported he abruptly left his role as Thomas ‘Rocky’ Cotton in the BBC soap
Exit: The 62-year-old actor is embarking on a new tour called The 3rd Farewell Tour…To Date, which will see him perform an evening of comedy, music and entertainment (pictured on the soap).
This comes after The Sun reported that Brian – who has been playing the soap character since May 2021 – clashed with bosses on the long-running show and demanded to be taken off the programme.
Producers are now reportedly scrambling to rewrite storylines for his quick exit, and it has been claimed that his death could be another major Christmas storyline.
An insider told the publication: “It’s all coming to a head.” “The truth is bosses are angry.”
“It looks like he just doesn’t enjoy being on EastEnders anymore – and he’s been telling many colleagues and TV friends for some time that he wanted out.”
“The Beeb wanted him to stay but he didn’t want any of it. “They had made so many plans around him and his character and really thought he was in it for the long haul.
“Whatever upset him, it feels like he’s not getting out of there fast enough – and now they have to rewrite their plans of action for his quick exit.”
The source also claimed that plans have already been drawn up for the death of another major character in this year’s Christmas story, which was hinted at in a recent flash-forward scene.
However, after recent issues with Brian, it is not believed that his character could be killed off instead.
Back to his roots: Brian, who has appeared in numerous West End musicals, will open his series of shows in Peterborough on September 24th (pictured in 9 to 5 of the musical with co-star Bonnie Langford).
Shock: It comes after The Sun reported that Brian – who has played the soap character since May 2021 – clashed with bosses on the long-running show and demanded he be written out
The BBC has been contacted by Web for comment.
This comes after it was announced in June that he could be facing elimination 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.
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.”
Bye: It comes after reports that Brian – who has been playing the soap character since May 2021 – clashed with bosses on the long-running show and demanded he be taken off the programme.
Happy as Larry: Producers are now reportedly scrambling to rewrite storylines for his quick exit, and it has been claimed his death could be another major Christmas storyline (Brian, R, pictured with co-stars at the NTAs this month)
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.”
“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.