Joey Branning

[Perdita]

David Witts has hinted that he is not looking for a long-term stay on EastEnders.

The Joey Branning actor, who has been nominated for 'Most Popular Newcomer' at tomorrow's National Television Awards, only joined the BBC soap in June last year.

However, when asked in an interview with Metro whether he would like to become a show "stalwart", he answered frankly: "No I don't."

Witts elaborated: "Not because there's anything wrong with it but for me acting is a passion and it's about spreading yourself in different areas.

"Every actor dreams of Hollywood but I'd also like to go back to the theatre. More than anything I just want to be working solidly."

He added pessimistically: "I don't know if I'll still be at EastEnders in a year's time but I'll be more than happy if I am.

"You can never say what's going to happen even tomorrow, let alone in a year's time."

Meanwhile, the star said he would like to work with Gillian Wright, but acknowledges the characters of Joey and Jean Slater will probably never cross paths.

"I'd like to work with Gillian Wright because I think she's terrific," he said. "There are a lot of actors and actresses on the show I'd love to work with but character-wise, there's nowhere to go."

Witts, 20, also commented that he would like writers to bring a popular character "back from the dead", perhaps "someone evil like Dirty Den".

[Perdita]

EastEnders star David Witts has admitted that he still feels self-conscious about the nature of fame being on the soap brings.

Witts, who joined the show as Joey Branning last year, revealed that he constantly worries what people think of him when he is out.

Speaking to Radio Times, he said: "I find myself over-compensating all the time. When I go somewhere that has any kind of customer service I'm sickly sweet because I'm so worried that, otherwise, people are going to walk away thinking I'm rude.

"When I first joined the show, I went to a local club and I literally walked past somebody. And then, the next day, on one of the social networking sites, this person had written: 'Met Joey from EastEnders. Bit of an…' followed by a not-very-nice word. And then people had replied: 'Oh, really. Why?'

"She said, 'He was trying it on with me and all of my mates'. And I had literally just walked past her on the way to the bar. So it makes you incredibly self-conscious of your image when you're out. Because it's more interesting to say, 'He's an arsehole' than it is to say, 'Oh, he's a really nice guy. He's really normal'."


Witts also revealed that he stays away from social networking sites, such as Twitter, to avoid any negative feedback.

"I keep out of all that. You just open yourself up to people saying whatever they want. It's easier to hate people that you recognise because, obviously, there's an element of jealousy there. For some people, not all people, I have to say, but some do feel like they're hard done by because they're not in the same situation and that resentment leads to them saying negative things.

"It makes them feel better about the situation but it's something that makes me very self-conscious. And it's quite tiring! You know, I still get the train every morning and I can be quite moody and tired at 5am. But if someone comes up to me shouting 'Oi Joey!' I can't be a normal person and say, 'Leave me alone, I'm trying to sleep'.

"I have to summon up the energy from somewhere and say, 'Hello, nice to meet you', just so they don't turn around and think I'm an idiot. In that respect, they've very much got the power."

[Perdita]

EastEnders actor David Witts has said his character Joey Branning's split from his cousin Lauren Branning is a 'shame'.

Joey dumped Lauren last week as her drinking problem continued to spiral out of control.

Speaking to the Radio Times, Witts said: "I think it's a shame. I don't know what's going to happen and often break-ups like that are used as a tool to bring out different sides to relationships.

"But I do think it's a shame, on both a personal as well as a theatrical level. I really enjoyed working with Jacqueline Jossa and, of course, some viewers had become fans of Lauren and Joey as a couple."

Witts believes that Joey is trying to be cruel to be kind by ending things with Lauren.

"The reason why he's ended the relationship isn't because he doesn't like her. The opposite is true, really. You know that awful line that's used in so many movies – if you really love her you'll let her go? It's literally like that.

"Joey thinks he's bad news. When she's with him, Lauren's drinking a lot, she's not herself and she's not doing anything with her life. So in many ways, it's quite chivalrous for him to do this because he's thinking not of himself but of the bigger picture for the person he loves. But we'll have to see what happens next."

[Perdita]

EastEnders star David Witts has decided to leave the show.

The actor, who has been playing Joey Branning since summer 2012, is already filming his final storyline and will bow out on screen at Christmas.

Witts is departing the BBC soap of his own accord. He will feature prominently on screen for the rest of the year as Joey gets involved in the climax of his sister Alice's dark storyline with Michael Moon.

An EastEnders spokesperson told the Daily Star Sunday: "We can confirm that David is leaving EastEnders later this year and we wish him all the best for the future."

Witts had always admitted that he didn't want to become an EastEnders stalwart as he has other acting ambitions.

Upon joining Walford last year, Joey was initially known for his bitter feud with his father Derek, who has since died.

He also embarked on a surprising relationship with his cousin Lauren and continues to care deeply for her despite their split.

Jasmyn Banks and Steve John Shepherd, who play Alice and Michael, have previously confirmed their exits from EastEnders.

A number of other cast members are also leaving as part of a shake-up instigated by the show's new producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins.

[Perdita]

EastEnders star David Witts has admitted that his character Joey Branning will have a low-key exit from the soap.

At the weekend, it was confirmed that Witts has decided to leave the role of Joey and will bow out on screen at Christmas.

"They're leaving the door open for me, which I'm really pleased about," Witts told Radio Times of his departure. "To be honest, it's not going to be a massive exit because when you have one of those, it's then very hard for you to come back.

"So it's a nice story that gets me there, but it's not going to be anything that people will be talking about for years to come!"

Confirming that he is leaving of his own accord, the actor added: "18 months in, I just thought that now was the right time for me to go. For me, being an actor doesn't mean just playing one part. I want to go through the process again of picking up a script and working out what I want to do with it.

"I'm starting rehearsing Hairspray in February, which will be on at the Curve Theatre in Leicester. I'm really excited to be going back on stage. And there are a whole plethora of roles out there to try, be they in theatre, film or TV."

Joey's exit storyline is expected to tie in with the climax of his sister Alice's dark plot with twisted Michael Moon.

Witts has been playing Joey since summer 2012.

[tammyy2j]

He is a decent actor and easy on the eyes but he hasn't done much since Derek's death

[lizann]

he sleeps with janine

[tammyy2j]

Is he returning for Lauren, is that him in the flash forward about Max?