'EastEnders' gangster Andy Hunter, played by actor Michael Higgs, is being axed from the soap.
Higgs was brought in to fill the 'tough guy' role after Steve McFadden's (Phil Mitchell) departure but he has failed to convince viewers and he will be written out at Easter.
He will be replaced by a string of hardmen characters including Jonny Allen, played by Billy Murray, who for eight years played corrupt detective Don Beech in 'The Bill'.
Alfie Moon's cousins Jake and Danny will also turn up on 30 December.
The decision to get rid of Higgs was made by new executive producer Kathleen Hutchison as part of the large-scale exodus of unpopular characters.
Also leaving the show are Scarlett Johnson (Vicki Fowler), Jill Halfpenny (Kate Mitchell), all six members of the Ferreira family and Leslie Grantham (Dirty Den).
