EastEnders loses its THIRD actor in a week as Danny-Boy Hatchard is set to leave
Danny Dyer's on-screen son Lee Carter will be exiting in the next few months
EASTENDERS is to lose its third star in a week as Danny-Boy Hatchard is written out of the soap.
The actor, 25, has played Danny Dyer’s on-screen son Lee Carter since 2014.
But the BBC confirmed last night he will be leaving Albert Square in the coming months.
It comes after we revealed Samantha Womack and Rita Simons, who play Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell, will exit next year.
All three departures have been engineered by executive producer Sean O’Connor, who replaced Dominic Treadwell-Collins this year.
A source said: “Sean’s arrival has brought massive change to EastEnders, not least in the decision to exit Ronnie and Roxy.
“Others are now looking around and wondering who could be next to walk.”
Danny-Boy, who said getting the role was “like winning the lottery”, quickly impressed with his portrayal of ex-squaddie Lee.
And he won widespread praise for a storyline that saw depression push Lee to the brink of suicide.
A BBC source added: “This was a tough decision but sometimes to create big storylines characters need to come and go.
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“Danny-Boy is a dedicated actor and a popular cast member, and as part of the Carter family, no one should rule out a return.”
An EastEnders spokesman said: “Danny-Boy has been a great addition to the cast and we wish him all the best for the future.”