Three years ago, Danny Dyer signed a 'golden handcuffs' deal with the BBC.
The Football Factor star put pen to paper on an eye-watering contract, said to be worth around £1million-a-year, which banned him from appearing on rival channels.
However, the Beeb's golden boy has now unlocked the shackles after being poached by Sky.
EastEnders has been plunged into crisis because the Mick Carter actor is quitting the soap after nearly nine years in Albert Square.
The deal is thought to be worth six figures, much less than his current one, but will open the door to a raft of offers that could ultimately dwarf what he earns now.
So what exactly is a 'golden handcuffs' deal? And which other celebrities have them?
Get the news you want straight to your inbox. Sign up for a Mirror newsletter here .
They are used by TV companies to make sure their top talent cannot take part on show's on other channels.
While the BBC may have lost Danny, they still have popular presenter Stacey Dooley in their clutches.
After winning Strictly Come Dancing, Stacey became one of the 'faces of the BBC' following her 'golden handcuffs' deal.
She signed a huge £250,000-a-year deal to beyond documentaries into presenting entertainment shows and being a high-profile guests on other BBC programmes.
The deal mean that she would work for the BBC exclusively and a BBC insider told The Sun that it was offered because "execs were absolutely terrified about losing her to another broadcaster like ITV or Channel 5."
Stacey was reportedly "happy to stay loyal to the BBC," as this is where she has done "the vast bulk of her serious work before Strictly."
Presenter Nick Knowles had a decade-long 'golden handcuffs' deal until 2016, but still continues to host DIY SOS.
At the time, he said the BBC could no longer afford to keep him on a contract that demanded he only work for them.
He said: "From a presenter’s point of view, do I stay at the BBC and earn less or go and earn a lot more?
"It’s not just how much you’re earning but how long are you in the public eye providing for your family. I’ve got a two-year-old son.
"I’ve been exclusive to the BBC for 10 years. This year I’m now able to – and will – make shows with other channels."
This enabled Nick to go and appear on ITV's flagship show I'm A Celebrity in 2018, where he finished in sixth place.
Back in the late 90s and early 2000s, ITV splashed out millions to retain its top drama stars amid bidding wars with the BBC.
When Lark Rise to Candleford actress Lancashire signed a £1.3million deal in 2000, ITV drama controller Nick Elliott said it was his "best buy" in 40 years.
After early success with dramas Back Home and My Fragile Heart, The Glass and The Cry were flops and she rejected an offer to renew her contract in 2002.
Robson Green was a hit in Touching Evil and Grafter, but his later dramas such as The Last Musketeer and Blind Ambition failed to pull in big audiences and he removed his handcuffs when his contract was up for renewal.
ITV's exclusive deals with former EastEnders star Ross Kemp and Spandau Ballet singer Martin Kemp were less lucrative - and briefly sparked an end to the "golden handcuff" era.
Martin's drama Family was pulled from peak schedule because of disappointing audiences, while Kemp's SAS show Ultimate Force was not a big ratings hit.
This Morning host Phillip Schofield can only appear on ITV due to his contract, but co-host Holly Willoughby is free to go where she wants.
The BBC had been rumoured to be considering pinching Phil when his contract at ITV came to an end in 2021, but he signed a new bumper deal when This Morning was extended by 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, Holly has been able to appear on the BBC, hosting Take Off with Bradley & Holly alongside The Chase host Bradley Walsh.
There was also some awkward banter about her guest stint on an episode of Michael McIntyre's The Wheel.
On This Morning in November, Michael revealed that Holly was in the Christmas special and teased Phillip.
"You're on some kind of exclusive deal to ITV so we can't get you," he blurted out. "We're desperate for you Schof."
Trying to move the conversation along quickly, Phil replied: "I also don't have a specialist subject."
Strict BBC rules have prevented him appearing on rival channels – which has irked members of the EastEnders cast, including Danny.
One source said: "Danny has offers coming in left right and centre, and a lot of the things he has wanted to do he can’t because EastEnders have such strict rules about what he can and can’t do.
"It’s driven him mad at times and he’s now ready for a change. But it hasn’t been easy to walk away, BBC bosses have been desperate to keep him. But he’s been insistent and when Sky approached they gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse. It’s a new chapter for Dan and he’s over the moon."
It's a major loss to EastEnders, as bosses are aware he is their most valuable asset.
The source said: "There’s been a lot of tension about Danny going as he is their No1 star. To say they were upset to see him go is an understatement. But in the end they couldn’t convince him."
EastEnders scriptwriters are now having to set up a dramatic exit for Mick, but it remains to be seen what will happen to the rest of the Carter family.
Viewing figures have plummeted and morale on the programme is said to be "at an all-time low".
An EastEnders spokesman said: "Danny will be leaving EastEnders when his contract comes to an end later this year.
"Danny has made Mick Carter an iconic character which we shall always be grateful for, however we won’t be saying goodbye just yet as there’s still quite some time – and plenty of explosive drama for Mick – to come before he departs Walford."
Exactly what's Danny's next moves at Sky will be are currently unknown, but he looks set to continue his acting career.
But without a 'golden handcuffs' deal he will have the freedom to appear in whatever he wants.
Do you have a story to share? Email web features@trinitymirror.com
