i did read at first that he was leaving for a 12 month break but now have read from several different sources including inside soap and newspapers that he is 'unlikely to ever return'
also heard they were (producers) thinking of closing the door permenantly on his character by killing alfie off in a very emotional way possibly with a terminal illness but dont know how much truth there is in this.

jessie is said to be on our screens until at least autum 2006