EastEnders star Shane Richie has assured fans that he won't be leaving the show for good.
The actor's character Alfie Moon will soon be taking a break from Walford alongside his wife Kat (Jessie Wallace), but this paves the way for a new BBC One spinoff show featuring the popular couple.
Tabloid reports yesterday (May 4) suggested that Richie had ruled out a return to EastEnders after the new project, but he has now rubbished the rumours on Twitter.
Lovely people, seems I've been mis-quoted, I'm NOT leaving @bbceastenders #walfordforever
Kat and Alfie's spinoff will be a six-part drama series which sees them embark on a new life together in Ireland after mending their troubled marriage. Production on the programme will begin this autumn ahead of transmission in 2016.
Alfie comforts Kat
© BBC
Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie (Shane Richie)
Viewers recently discovered that Kat has a secret son, which has left fans wondering about whether this story will be explored further in the new show. At least one other twist for Kat and Alfie is expected to air before they go to Ireland.
Away from the soap world, Richie has secured another role, as he was recently filming for BBC One daytime series Moving On alongside former Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh and comedian John Thomson.
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