Derek Harkinson (Ian Lavender)

[Perdita]

EastEnders will be exploring Derek Harkinson's backstory next week as a dark secret from his past comes back to haunt him.

The latest story will kick off when Patrick's ex-wife Yolande returns to Walford again, this time armed with some bad news for Derek.

Viewers know that Derek recently landed a job at Walford's Minute Mart and Yolande works in the supermarket's head office – having recently been involved in an important decision over Denise Fox's future at the store.

Fans will have to wait and see just what it is that Yolande tells Derek, but her visit leaves him feeling deeply unsettled and on edge.


Yolande gives Derek Harkinson some bad news in EastEnders
© BBC


Honey Mitchell and Denise Fox fuss around Derek Harkinson in EastEnders
© BBC
Things get worse for Derek when he has an altercation with troublesome teen Keegan, before receiving some even more upsetting news that leaves him at rock bottom.

Dismayed, an angry Derek confronts Johnny Carter, who witnessed his earlier altercation with Keegan but failed to do anything. But as Johnny does his best to make things up to Derek, he soon realises that all is not as it seems.

After tracking him down, Johnny encourages Derek to reveal what's really going on, prompting the pair to have a heart-to-heart as Derek reveals everything.

However, Derek makes a sad decision in the wake of confessing all to Johnny – deciding that it's time to leave Walford behind for good.

Determined to help, Johnny enlists Patrick's support to stop Derek from leaving, but can they get through to him? And more to the point, what has Derek been hiding?


Derek Harkinson is angry with Johnny Carter in EastEnders
© BBC

EastEnders airs these scenes next week on BBC One.


Digital Spy

[lizann]

is he gone?

[Perdita]

Ian Lavender has left EastEnders and won't be returning to the soap.

The actor has starred as Albert Square resident Derek Harkinson on-and-off since 2001 but has apparently parted ways with the soap in a year which saw Derek challenge a past conviction and clash with Keegan Baker.

According to the Daily Star, the actor is thought to have already been seen for the last time in Walford.

Digital Spy has reached out to the BBC for comment.


Yolande gives Derek Harkinson some bad news in EastEnders
© BBC

Derek made a surprise return a year ago for a few episodes around the Christmas period.

The character was probably best remembered for his loveable friendship with Pauline Fowler and as a mentor to her son Martin.

Derek and Pauline were old childhood friends, but we got to meet him when he rebuffed a romantic pass from her - probably because he's gay.

He hasn't been on screen for a while, but Derek got a rare mention and acknowledgement of his departure last week when Honey Mitchell said: "I've just been so busy since Derek left..."

Away from EastEnders, Lavender is probably best known for playing Private Pike in classic BBC sitcom Dad's Army.

Derek isn't the only EastEnders favourite to leave the soap this year, as exits for both Branning sisters are in sight.


Digital Spy

[lizann]

rest in peace ian who played derek