EastEnders star who 'quit' after just one year addresses return rumours

Brian Conley has revealed the true reason behind his exit from EastEnders.

Earlier reports suggested that Brian chose to leave after the show's executives banned the cast from taking part in profitable pantomime roles this year. Brian, who has been playing Tom "Rocky" Cotton since May 2021, has now confessed that he felt "restricted" during his time on the show as he wasn't permitted to engage in other activities outside of the programme.

While on ITV's Good Morning Britain, host Susanna Reid asked: "You haven't been in EastEnders for six months, because you're in prison there is a release date at some point You could go back...but you've said actually, it's probably too much? ".

Brian, 62, one of the UK's leading panto stars, responded: "I left because you're not allowed to do anything else. Appearing slightly annoyed, he continued: "Although I've now found out you can. But at the time, they said you can't do anything."

"I'm a live performer, I love being live, I love getting out there - musicals and my own show which I'm currently doing. So for me I felt very restricted with those sort of ties.[".

Co-host Ed Ball then enquired if Rocky would be returning since his character was sent to prison. Ed asked: "So Rocky's not getting an early release then? ".

Brian answered: "He might do, never say never, I could always wander in or I could make an escape." However, he quickly changed the topic to his new hosting role for RadioTimes.com Soap Awards this month.

Brian is set to secure a considerable six-figure salary for his role as Buttons in Cinderella, alongside other well-known personalities who become pantomime stalwarts.

As an anonymous TV source stated: "Often in milestone celebratory years like the 40th anniversary, bosses need to have all cast available so that they can storyline appropriately up to and beyond December to guarantee that level of drama for audiences."

"There's a real buzz around the anniversary with plans already underway to bring audiences some explosive storylines. Filming for February usually takes place before Christmas, so for those wanting to do a five-week run would mean the show would be unable to use them in any of their plans relating to the anniversary.

In previous episodes on EastEnders, Rocky found himself in trouble when his gambling addictions escalated, leading him to torch his wife Kathy's cafe hoping it would result in an insurance payout. Viewers saw Rocky last on December 29 when he admitted his deeds to the police.