Two stars to quit.

[sootycat]

From Digital Spy.



EastEnders stars Nigel Harman and Letitia Dean are quitting the soap.

The actors, who play Dennis Rickman and Sharon Watts respectively, will film their final scenes in November and leave the show in a sensational New Year storyline.

Speaking to DS today, a spokeswoman for the soap confirmed that Nigel has decided that he wants to leave for good, while Letitia is planning on taking an "extended career break".

Meanwhile, a source told The Mirror, "Writers are now planning Dennis' exit storyline. He has been a fantastic asset to the show and is one of the most popular characters. But he had made up his mind that the time was right for him to walk away."

Harman first joined the soap in 2003 and was voted Best Newcomer at the National TV Awards.

[RitaLittlewood]

Full article from The Mirror:

13 August 2005
EASTENDERS EXCLUSIVE: WE QUIT
Dennis and Sharon to leave Albert Sq
By Fiona Cummins, Showbiz Reporter
EASTENDERS favourites Dennis Rickman and Sharon Watts are to leave Albert Square after their bizarre wedding and a murder probe.

Actors Nigel Harman and Letitia Dean have revealed they want to quit in a double blow for the BBC. Nigel, 32, is going for good while Letitia, 37, wants to take a long break. A show insider said: "Nigel met with the show's producers and decided he has taken Dennis as far as he can."

He will film his final scenes in November and will be written out in an explosive New Year storyline.

Letitia is expected to leave at the same time. Their exit is a hammer blow to the BBC because Dennis and adopted sister Sharon are at the centre of a gripping love story.

The source said: "Writers are now planning Dennis' exit storyline.

"He has been a fantastic asset to the show and is one of the most popular characters. But he had made up his mind that the time was right for him to walk away."


Sharon and Dennis marry on August 29 and the BBC hoped their big day would claw back lost viewers.


Police arrive just before the reception to dig up Dirty Den's body.


Den, Sharon's adoptive dad and Dennis's real one, has been murdered and buried under the Vic.


Nigel and Letitia have both been off the show but were lured back in June. He was given a £150,000 a year deal and Letitia £175,000. She joined when EastEnders started in 1985 and has had four stints on the soap.


Nigel first appeared in 2003 and was named Best Newcomer at the National TV Awards.


But he has admitted doubts over the show. He said: "On and off I've sat there and thought, 'God, this is naff.' It's a double-edged sword.You can come out and do a Martin Kemp or you can never work again."

[eithne]

I was very, very shocked when I heard this as they have only just returned a couple of months ago. That said I am glad though, because it will mean that "Shannis" can finally finish. Despite popular belief it wasn't loved by the viewers. In fact with "Kalfie" coming to an end as well, the future is looking up for the show just with those two ridicously long lasting love stories coming to an end.

But it also it means that Eastenders should be able to free up a little money to hire new actors (after all a LOT is going to Ross Kemp, Steve McFadden and Barbra Windsor for returning, the Mitchells being the so called savious of the show!).

[RitaLittlewood]

Yes TOTB at EE seem to have their heads buried in the sand at what viewers love and hate as much as Corrie ones. There's been loads of comments on Ceefax saying they should get new characters completely and not bring back past ones.

Patsy

[CG Wendy]

Rearrange this sentence..........

Ship a rats sinking deserting