Shane Richie has assured EastEnders fans that he won't be leaving the UK soap for good.
The actor's character Alfie Moon will soon be taking a break from Walford alongside his wife Kat (Jessie Wallace), but this is for the purpose of creating a new BBC One spin-off featuring the couple.
Tabloid reports yesterday (May 4) suggested that Richie had ruled out a return to EastEnders once the new project was completed, but he has now rubbished the rumours on Twitter.
The soap star tweeted: "Lovely people, seems I've been mis-quoted, I'm NOT leaving @bbceastenders #walfordforever".
Kat and Alfie's spin-off will be a six-part drama series which sees them embark on a new life together in Ireland after mending their troubled marriage. Production on the programme will begin this autumn ahead of transmission in 2016.
Viewers recently discovered that Kat has a secret son, which has left fans wondering about whether this story will be explored further in the new show. At least one other twist for Kat and Alfie is expected to air before they go to Ireland.
Lovely people, seems I've been mis-quoted, I'm NOT leaving @bbceastenders #walfordforever
— Shane Richie (@realshanerichie) May 5, 2015