Michael French, who plays David Wicks in EastEnders, is to leave the BBC soap this year.
A spokesperson for the show confirmed French's departure to Digital Spy but further details were not revealed to avoid spoiling storylines for viewers.
The website says it understands that French only agreed a short contract when he returned to EastEnders last year but then extended his deal following the arrival of executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins.
