Danny Dyer has confirmed he is leaving EastEnders this year - and admitted quitting the soap has been on his mind "for a while".
The 44-year-old star has played Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter for the last nine years, but he will depart Walford later this year because the actor says he is still looking to land a "defining role".
While Danny admits he is taking "a risk" by exiting the BBC show, he believes Mick needs to be "rested".
Speaking for the first time about his exit, he said: "I am leaving EastEnders. I'm very lucky, I'm very grateful.
"When you're in a job like a soap your contract comes up for renewal and every time it has they've asked me to stay, and I'm very grateful for that. Because I've seen a lot of people come and go. It's very tough.
"I always debate whether I want to sign again and I've been contemplating a while now about whether it's time to roll the dice, take the leap.
"The big news is I've decided not to renew my contract. That's all. That's not because I've fallen out with anybody, I love everybody. That job has been amazing for me. It's an important part of television.
"I'm grateful for the beautiful years I've had there. I'm going to miss the people massively. It's me taking a risk.
"I know some people will be jumping for joy at the idea of me leaving EastEnders, there will be others who are quite disappointed. Other people will wish me the best for the future.
"There's no big story around it, really. Other than the fact I've decided to go off and try some other stuff.
"I'm 44 now, and I've had nine years of playing Mick and I think he needs to be rested.
"I'm still looking for that defining role. Maybe it is there, maybe it isn't.
"But I've always been quite ambitious, and I had quite a long career before I went into EastEnders.
"I know the landscape has changed slightly but I want to go out there and have another go, and the only way I can do that is if I decide to walk away from the job.
"I just wanted to put my little version out there. It is true.
"It does give me a weird feeling to think I'm walking away from a job that's been a massive part of my life. But it had to be done, and it was definitely the right time."
But Danny has promised EastEnders fans that Mick's exit will be "very powerful", and the door will be left open for him to make a potential comeback.
Speaking on his and daughter Dani Dyer's Sorted with the Dyers podcast, he added: "Let me tell you something - Mick's exit is going to be a very, very powerful thing. I would love the door to be left open, and as far as I know it is.
"So, who knows. When I go out there and I fail miserably I can come back with my tail between my legs and go: 'Will you take me back?'
"But I just want to send out some love to everyone at EastEnders. I love you all very much.
"It'll be a sad year for me, but I'm also very excited about it.
"So, we're going to attack this year, and we're going to make this year, we're going to craft it, we're going to manipulate it, and we're going to make this year a f***ing special one."
News of Danny's exit from the soap was first revealed in the Sunday Mirror at the weekend.
