'Ard his chips

[sindydoll]

oh no thats going to be heartbreaking to watch

[Luna]

The canine actor who plays Wellard in the BBC soap EastEnders is going to retire, it has been announced.

The Alsatian, a bitch called Kyte, has grown too old for acting and viewers of the BBC soap will see Wellard killed off later this year.

Wellard has, in fact, been played by three different dogs from the same family — Kyte, her mother and grandma.

Wellard arrived in Walford in 1994 when Robbie Jackson, played by Dean Gaffney, found him wandering the streets.

Merry-go round

FAMOUS SOAP DOGS
Willy: EastEnders
Schmeicel: Coronation Street
Bouncer: Neighbours
Batley: Emmerdale

After learning the newcomer had been mistreated by his owners, Robbie took the dog in and named him Wellard for "well hard", meaning very tough.

He stayed with the Jacksons until Robbie left to go travelling in India and he was passed to his sister Sonia, played by Natalie Cassidy, to look after - who passed him on to her friend Gus.

When Gus left, also to go travelling, with his girlfriend in May this year, Wellard was passed to his friend Mickey Miller.

The Millers could not handle another pet so Mickey sold the dog to Vinnie as a present for Shirley, but she did not want him.

Bianca Jackson's daughter, Whitney, then traded a pineapple for Wellard.


Robbie and Wellard were best friends

The dog has had his fair share of ups and downs. In February 2003 Robbie's move to India was delayed when his beloved dog was run over.

Two years later Wellard was incarcerated after biting bit Ian Beale, Adam Woodyatt, on his bottom.

Campaign T-shirts and posters with the slogan Walford One Owed Freedom (WOOF) were designed to help raise awareness of the dog's plight.

Following a trial Gus was allowed to take Wellard back home as long as he kept him on a lead at all times.

In 2007 Wellard was taken from outside for the cafe. The kidnappers demanded money but he was quickly released.

[JustJodi]

confined to a life with the Jackson Clan - he's having a lucky escape!

ain't that the truth!!!!!!

[di marco]

dont think it will be anything explosive, found this on msn:

Wellard is played by an Alsatian bitch named Kyte, and the character is apparently going to be put down, The Sun reports.

A source said: "Wellard has been played by three different dogs from the family - Kyte, her mum and grandma. But now it's time for the character to bow out gracefully."

[Chloe O'brien]

When is this happening I might light a candle and have a large voddie for him

[di marco]

When is this happening I might light a candle and have a large voddie for him

lol! i dunno, maybe august/september time?

[alan45]

Personally I think they should keep Well Ard and put some of the cast to sleep. Well Ard is a much better actor than some I could mention. Not of course that I was thinking of the Poison 'Gerrrrrrrroutttttttttttaaamaaaaaaahhhpab' Dwarf

[Abbie]

Noooo they cant put him down

[Chloe O'brien]

Noooo they cant put him down

Yes they can Abbie. I'm auditioning for the role as the vet with the big syringe. Mohaawwwwwwwwww!!!!!

[di marco]

Noooo they cant put him down

i dont want them to kill wellard! though i suppose him being put down cos hes ill or something seeing as hes old is better than being run over or something