IT’S THE EXIT NO ONE EXPECTED… EastEnders airs ‘harsh’ exit after actor is axed and ‘will never be back’

EastEnders fans are convinced a fan favourite character “will never be back” after the soap aired his “harsh” exit. In scenes airing in Tuesday’s episode (10 December), Teddy Mitchell was handed a life sentence, with a minimum time served of 20 years, after pleading guilty to Okie’s murder.

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Earlier this year, Okie had manipulated Teddy’s son Harry into working for his drugs ring, and later took Harry hostage, keeping him doped up on heroin. Once freed, Harry tried to protect his friend, Kojo, from being attacked by Okie and stabbed his tormentor in self-defence.

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To protect his son from ever facing prison time, Teddy confessed to the stabbing and plead guilty in court. As he faced his sentencing on Tuesday, Harry grappled with his own guilt and wanted to come clean. But, fans felt Teddy’s sentencing would inevitably be a long one, as the actor playing him, Roland Manookian, has been axed from the show.

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It was announced earlier this week that Roland, who only joined the show 18 months ago, has been axed from EastEnders. A spokesperson for the show said: “We can confirm Roland will be leaving EastEnders this year, and we wish him all the best for the future.”

In line with what fans were sure would happen, Harry ultimately did not turn himself in and Teddy was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison. Fans swarmed to social media to share their disappointment at what happened with Teddy’s character, and some added that they felt the “harsh” sentence was a sign that he would not be returning to the show.

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“20 years?” one fan wrote. They went on to say that it felt like the sentence was so long that it was almost certain that Teddy would not return. They added: “[He] will never be back.”

“Big shame about Teddy,” wrote another fan. “20 years… guess they aren’t considering bringing him back any time soon then.” They added that they felt the sentence was too hefty given how remorseful Teddy had been. “I don’t think he could have got a tougher sentence if he had been crying tears of pure joy singing that he’d killed Okie… seems a bit harsh… Anywho, really good episode today.”

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Others said they felt it was a “waste” of his character and potential. A fan wrote: “Still think it’s s*** that Teddy’s going. A waste of a good character who’s leaving way before his time.”

Another said: “Absolutely hate that Teddy got the axe though, awful decision.” A third added: “I’m sad for Teddy, I liked him as a character and really saw much more potential for him and Nicola in years to come, he really did have some good scenes in the past and its such a waste.”

This exit is not the end of trouble for this branch of the Mitchells. Harry, who is still addicted to heroin following his ordeal with Okie, has gone to great lengths to get a hold of drugs, including selling his mother’s wedding ring.

Following his father’s sentencing, Harry managed to get some more, and overdosed. He was found by his ex-girlfriend Gina Knight, who screamed for help as she tried to wake him.