Danny Walters to leave EastEnders

The actor is leaving his role of Keanu Taylor in the BBC One soap.

Digital Spy reports that the decision to give up the part is Walters’ own as he is keen to pursue new projects.

“It has been a joy to play Keanu Taylor for the last two and a half years. I have been blessed to work with the most fantastic creative team and I will miss them and my fellow actors immensely,” the actor told the online publication.

Keanu is expected to depart Walford after his affair with Phil Mitchell’s wife Sharon is finally revealed.

EastEnders’ Senior Executive Producer Kate Oates previously told Metro that the affair would come to light during this year’s Christmas episodes, noting “Christmas is huge [and] much of it will circulate around a very complicated and messy love affair,” adding that viewers can expect some ‘major drama’ when Sheanu explodes.

The storyline has seen Keanu go from an affair with Sharon to a relationship with her stepdaughter Louise.

When a pregnant Louise found out that her dad had paid Keanu to keep an eye on her, she considered having an abortion with Keanu sleeping with Sharon under the belief she had done so. However, Louise hadn’t gone through with the termination and Sharon later found out that she too was pregnant with a recent paternity test revealing that Keanu is also her baby daddy.

“Keanu’s story is set to come to a dramatic and blistering conclusion in the near future as one of the best kept secrets on the Square is finally revealed with devastating consequences.

 

“We’d all like to thank Danny for his nuanced performance as Keanu Taylor over the last two and half years. What Danny has brought to his character has been one of the reasons the ‘Sheanu’ affair has been such compulsive viewing for fans. Everyone at EastEnders wishes him well for the future.” – Jon Sen, Executive Producer

Before joining the soap in 2017, Walters was best known for playing Tiger Dyke in ITV sitcom Benidorm.

EastEnders airs weeknights, except Wednesday’s on BBC One.