Liam Butcher is being written out of ‘EastEnders’.
The teenager – who has been played by the actor James Forde since 2008 – will exit the BBC One soap in the summer, it’s been confirmed.
A spokesperson for ‘EastEnders’ told Digital Spy: "We can confirm that James Forde will be leaving ‘EastEnders’ later this year. We wish him all the best in the future."
James’ departure comes after his on-screen mum Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson) left the soap last year in a storyline where she and the rest of Liam’s family moved away from east London to live in Milton Keynes.
The 18-year-old actor sparked speculation his time in Walford was over last week when he posted a message on Twitter admitting it had been an honour to work with the stars of the soap.
He wrote: "Absolutely honoured to have world with some of the people I have worked with. It’s amazing and the future is exciting. (sic)"
Although James’ character was just nine-years-old when he first joined the show, he’s recently become more prominent having got involved in a gang in 2013 before becoming romantically involved with teen-mum Cindy Williams (Mimi Keene) last year.
The announcement comes after it was revealed certain members of the cast could be set to lose their jobs due to budget issues following the recent signings of stars such as Denise van Outen and Bonnie Langford.
Liam Butcher is being written out of EastEnders
