BBC EastEnders has announced a shock exit after a long-running actor has quit – and his final scenes have already been watched by viewers

Bobby Beale after actor Clay Milner Russell has quit BBC’s EastEnders after five years.

Clay, 25, has played the iconic EastEnders character from 2019 to 2024. In June 2019, he was announced to be joining the cast of EastEnders as the fifth actor to take on the role of Bobby Beale.

His first scenes aired on 13 June 2019 when the character is released from prison following the murder of his sister, Lucy Beale. Some of his key storylines as Bobby have included the character converting to Islam and subsequently becoming the victim of a racial attack, suffering from OCD, his infatuation with Dotty Cotton, his relationship with Dana Monroe, and his friendship with Freddie Slater.

For his portrayal of Bobby, actor Clay was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Inside Awards in 2020.

Bobby Beale has left Walford for good (Image: BBC)

This week, viewers saw Bobby heartbroken after discovering his girlfriend Anna Knight had ended her pregnancy and cheated on him with his best friend Freddie Slater, prompting him to decide to leave Walford for good.

After paying a visit to Lucy’s grave to bid farewell, Bobby was found by Ian and Cindy. However, when he requested some alone time with his sister, Cindy lost her temper and lashed out at him for being there and talking to her daughter – leading him to finally stand up for himself.

He informed Cindy that he didn’t care if she despised him anymore – he deserved to live his life, with Ian concurring that Lucy would want him to move forward. “Feels like time is stood still. Sometimes I felt like I couldn’t breathe around here.”

Bobby’s last scenes have already aired (Image: BBC)

Ian advised her: “Look after our special boy.” To which she responded: “Haven’t I always?” as Anna Knight showed up to plead for another chance with Bobby. “I really do love you Bobby, and I think we could make this work, I really do,” she begged.

However, Bobby finally mustered the courage and told her off. He then informed his step-mum Jane that he was ready to leave, adding: “It’s time to forget being Bobby Beale and just focus on being Bobby.”

And after bidding his family farewell once more, Bobby got into the car and they drove away. However, viewers didn’t know that that it would be the very last time they saw Clay on screen.

When Jane made her epic return to Albert Square this summer, fans couldn’t help but think there was a reason for comeback. They guessed then that it was linked to Bobby and his looming exit.

EastEnders fans had guessed that Jane’s comeback had something to do with Bobby’s departure (Image: BBC)

Taking to X, viewers theorised that Bobby’s exit storyline would see him reunite with Jane and maybe go to live with her, leaving Walford for good.

One fan posted at the time: “I think they’ll work it out cos Bobby leaves,” as another said: “He’ll come round in end.” A third fan posted: “I think Bobby will end up moving in with Jane that will be his exit story.”

The comments kept on coming with one reading: “So I’m guessing Bobby is going to leave and go and live with Jane.” Another said: “I guess Jane’s back just for Bobby’s exit but I wish she was back for long-term. So much potential,” as a further comment read: “I wonder if Bobby leaves with Jane.”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.