Eastenders favourite Davood Ghadami is the latest star confirmed for an exit on the hit soap.
Sources say the 38-year-old star, who plays Kush Kazemi, has been axed and will have an explosive send-off in 2021.
An insider said: “Davood’s contract was up and bosses decided his storyline had run its course.
"He’ll be missed but they’re making sure he goes out with a bang. Sometimes the cost of having a big storyline means losing big characters.”
It comes after news that Max Branning actor Jake Wood, 48, and Amar Adatia, 34, who plays Jags Panesar, are quitting.
The cast are said to be unhappy with having to take unpaid “extended breaks”.
Bosses deny this and say: “It is not unusual in soaps for cast to have breaks for storyline reasons or other projects.”
Davood joined the soap in 2014 and was a hit, winning Best Newcomer at the TV Choice Awards the next year.
Earlier this month it was revealed Jake, 48, will depart after 15 years with character Max involved in an explosive storyline – but not killed off.
And longest-serving cast member Adam Woodyatt, 52, will take a break from playing Ian Beale later this year.
It is not known if Davood’s character will be killed off.
The BBC said: “We can confirm Davood will be leaving EastEnders.”
