EastEnders legend Ian Beale is reportedly being written out of future episodes of the soap for an extended break.
Actor Adam Woodyatt will apparently not feature on-screen for around 10 weeks according to reports.
Just ahead of the show returning to screens, and Ian set to take centre stage, an "explosive twist" will lead to the character taking some time out it's claimed.
A BBC source told the Daily Star about the break and stated that it was due to a plot on the BBC soap.
A separate source added: “Writers are staying tight-lipped about what happens, so it’s not known yet what the future will hold for the character.
"There are no guarantees and anything can happen in Albert Square.”
They then said: “It will be strange for viewers not to have Ian on screen for such a long time. But it will be nice for Adam to have some time out after working on the show for so long.”
Both the BBC and Adam declined to respond to requests for comment, the publication claims.
The actor is reportedly staying in a hotel near the studio, the publication suggests.
Mirror Online has contacted EastEnders for comment.
It comes as it's teased Ian's killer secret will finally be exposed to best pal Sharon Mitchell.
Actor Adam recently returned to the set for the spin-off series Secrets From The Square, while he also features in new scenes on the soap when it returns next month - after it went off air in June due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But does this mean Ian is exposed for his involvement in the death of Sharon's son Dennis earlier this year?
Dotty Cotton knows the truth, and is planning on spilling the beans to a grieving Sharon.
This isn't the only drama he's caught up in judging by a recent teaser too.
Ian is thought to have blown Max Branning's cash, leading to an explosive showdown.
EastEnders returns to BBC One later this year.
