Jonny Labey has quit ‘EastEnders’.
The 23-year-old actor is set to bow out of BBC One soap as gay hairdresser Paul Coker later this summer following less than a year in the role in order to focus on musical theatre.
A spokesperson for the long-running show told the Radio Times Online: "We can confirm Jonny will be leaving the show later this year. We wish him all the best for the future."
The handsome star may have only joined the programme last June when he bounded on to Albert Square as the grandson of Pam and Les Coker (Lin Blakley and Roger Sloman) but his time in Walford hasn’t been without drama.
Over the past 11 months, Paul has had his fair share of heartbreak and lip-locking sessions with Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid) but the pair – who kept their secret tryst under wraps – are finally set to get a glimpse of their happy ever after.
But it won’t last for long as Ben’s bad boy father Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) is set to stick his nose into their romance.
A show insider told Digital Spy: "Bosses are keeping tight lipped about what’s in store [for Paul’s exit scenes] but there’s plenty of drama in store for Paul before he leaves."
Meanwhile, Jonny told bosses he was leaving the show a few months ago after he landed the lead part in the upcoming play ‘Verge of Strife’ at the Assembly George Square Studios during the Edinburgh Festival 2016 this August.
Jonny Labey quits EastEnders
