Riley Carter Millington has quit 'EastEnders'.
Riley Carter Millington as Kyle Slater
The 21-year-old actor - who was the first transgender male to play a transgender character in a UK soap - has only portrayed Kyle Slater for a year but is being driven out of the show by producers as they believes his alter ego has reached a "natural end."
Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Riley said: "When I landed a six-month contract at 'EastEnders' it was a dream come true. For that to be extended to a year was something I never expected."
Riley is set to bow out of the long-running soap in the coming months but he's hoping the door will be left open for him to return.
He explained: "However, as the time comes for Kyle to depart Walford I am looking forward to taking on new roles and who knows, Kyle may find his way back to Walford one day."
It's not yet known how Kyle will leave the Square but it's thought conniving Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell) will have something to do with it as the pair have been at loggerheads since he found out at the restaurant manager had faked a break in at the eatery, Beales.
Meanwhile, Riley's exit is just one in a long list of departures coming up over the next few months as Ellen Thomas - who plays mega bitch Claudette Hubbard - Samantha Womack and Rita Simons, who portray Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell respectively, Karl Howman - who is known as Buster Briggs - Roger Sloman and Lin Blakley, who play Les and Pam Coker respectively, Nintin Genatra as the beloved Masood Ahmed, and Danny-Boy Hatchard, who portrays Lee Carter, have also decided to quit.
The shake up comes just a few months after new executive producer Sean O'Connor took over from Dominic Treadwell-Collins.
Tagged in Aaron Sidwell Rita Simons Samantha Womack