Spencer leaves EastEnders
Troubled EastEnders actor Chris Parker has quit the soap, it was announced today.
The 21-year-old has been on sick leave for the past three weeks after a reported suicide attempt.
The young star, who plays Spencer Moon, was said to be upset by rumours about his sexuality.
The decision for him not to return to the BBC show was made mutually by Parker and EastEnders bosses.
A show spokeswoman said: “Eastenders and Chris Parker have agreed that Chris will not return to the programme.
“We would like to thank Chris for all his hard work over the last two years and wish him the best of luck in the future.”
Parker was said to have made his reported suicide bid in a London hotel as a “cry for help” over rumours that he is gay – which he strongly denies.
He has spent the last three weeks recuperating and was recently spotted out shopping with pretty pop singer Lara McAllen.
EastEnders writers are now hastily reworking the scripts to explain Spencer’s absence from Walford.
His last scenes, filmed at the beginning of November, will be shown in early January.
Soap bosses have decided not to cast another actor in the role.
Spencer arrived in Albert Square in November 2002 and quickly became one of the show’s most popular characters along with his brother Alfie, played by Shane Richie.
He won new fans when he appeared in the first series of Strictly Come Dancing.
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