EastEnders actor Danny Walters quits Keanu Taylor role
He’s set to bow out in dramatic scenes
EastEnders star Danny Walters has revealed he’s quit the show, leading to a dramatic exit for his character Keanu Taylor.
Former Benidorm star Danny joined the BBC soap back in 2017, when Keanu moved to Albert Square with the rest of the Taylor family, and has been involved in some major storylines over the past two years.
He confirmed his exit in a statement, saying, “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.
“EastEnders will always hold a special place in my heart and I will continue to be an avid fan.”
Danny’s character Keanu has been at the centre of one of the show’s most explosive storylines following his affair with Sharon Mitchell, who is pregnant with his baby, as is her step-daughter, Keanu’s girlfriend Louise.
Mel Owen is now blackmailing Sharon after discovering the affair and with the soap’s iconic Christmas Day episode fast approaching, executive producer Jon Sen has teased a ‘dramatic’ exit for Keanu.
He said, “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.”
Check out all of this week's EastEnders spoilers:
Following last week's chain of events, Tiffany demands Dotty Cotton sort things out with Keegan's business, but the troublemaker is having none of it.
Desperate for a job Keegan asks Ian Beale if he can work for him but when Ian begin to wind him up, the teenager sees red and lashes out.
After leaving Ian, he spots Tiffany who reveals Dotty is going to sort everything out. Unfortunately when Sonia discovers Keegan's latest actions she tells him off.
Tiff has had enough of her family's negativity and tells Keegan that they should elope. She then thinks fast and discovers the quickest way they can get married is to go to Scotland.
Bernadette Taylor and Bailey Baker are thrilled when they hear the news and promise to help out in any way they can.
Habiba Ahmed spies on Ian Beale for her sister and after confronting Dotty she hatches a plan to get back at him. It's not long before Iqra and Keegan get the evidence they need.
When Tiffany discovers a slot in the registry office's schedule has become available she's eager to leave straight away. As Tiff and Keegan make their final preparation they bump into Louise on the Square.
Louise spots Karen Taylor in the café and is over the moon that she's the one to drop the bombshell – Tiff and Keegan are getting married.
While Karen, Chantelle Atkins, Mitch Baker, Jack Branning, Whitney Dean and Sonia rush to stop the wedding, Tiff and Keegan are well ahead of them. But will they manage to get married before their family arrive?
Elsewhere Louise turns down the offer to have a birthday party but Mel isn't taking no as an answer. When Mel reveals the move to Portugal is back on, Keanu is quick to confront Lisa.
Things go from bad to worse for Keanu; first Lisa drops and bombshell and then Mel hints she knows all about his dirty little secret.
Ben Mitchell urges Mel to stop hassling Sharon but his interest in piqued when she mentions a Mitchell family secret. When Ben asks his stepmum about it, she's quick to play things down.
On Louise's birthday, it becomes very clear that Mel has pulled out all the stops when she shows off the expensive present she's giving the teenager. She also continues to provoke Keanu about his secret.
When Sharon discovers the present Mel bought Louise, she tries to plant a seed of doubt in Lisa's mind but she decides to ignore it.
Later on, sick and tired of the blackmailing, Sharon confronts Mel but is shocked at how far she will go for revenge.
Ruby Allen is thrilled when Sharon signs over E20. However it soon becomes clear that Sharon is coping and when Kat Moon spots her, it results in Linda Carter checking to see how her pregnant friend is.
Lisa spots Louise's pregnancy scan amongst Hunter Owen's things and it becomes the final straw for her… Elsewhere Mel celebrates Ruby buying the club.
She then reveals she's planning a massive joint party for Sharon and Louise and wants everyone in Walford there – what is Mel up to?
When Lisa confronts her 'friend' and accuses her of buying Louise's affections, a furious Mel storms out of the E20. The two women soon cause a scene on the Square…
Lola Pearce tells Jay Brown that she's concerned about him working on Terry's funeral but he brushes her off. Following a conversation with Billy Mitchell, Lola is stunned when she discovers what her boyfriend is planning.
Lola asks Ben to talk to Jay, but when he arrives he makes Jay a surprising offer… On the day of Terry's funeral Lola tries to make Jay see sense but Ben steps in and decides to take matters into his own hands.
Pam Coker returns to the Square and Jay and Lola hatch a plan to surprise Ben who is buzzing to see her. Things turn awkward when Callum Highway arrives and Ben plays down who he is – Callum is left gutted.
Jay decides it time to take a break from Coker's and Ben suggests that Callum earn more money by taking over from Jay. However Callum doesn't react the way Ben thought he would.
Ben and Pam have an emotional heart to heart and she urges him to be happy with Callum. Ben decides to take the plunge and make a huge gesture – how will Callum react?
Tina Carter is stunned when she arrives at the school gates and sees the woman who punched Shirley is one of the mums.
She urges Linda to confront Shelley about what happened with Ollie but keen to keep Shelley onside, she plans a night out at the E20.
Things take a turn when Shirley arrives and doesn't hold back after coming face to face with her nemesis. However she's not prepared for Linda's reaction…
Ian asks Bobby Beale and Kathy Beale to help him with his councillor application. Determined to make his campaign for Walford Councillor a success, Ruby is forced to meet his demands.
In other EastEnders news, actress Tameka Empson has confirmed that her legendary character Kim Fox will return to Walford just in time for all the Christmas drama.
“Kim has been working in Scotland as a tour guide,” she told The Daily Star, explaining her six month absence. “But she's coming back soon.
“And I'm hoping it will be a big storyline. With Kim Fox it's got to be big. We can't just have her turning up at the cafe. I don't know what I'll be doing. All I know is it will be a Christmas cracker!"
NOW WATCH: Dermot O'Leary talks The X Factor: Celebrity
If your favourite music icons are the Spice Girls and your favourite Ks are Kylie and the Kardashians, you need heat Radio in your life! heat Radio is portable, so you can listen to us on the move. Simply download our app from your phone’s app store, listen online at heatradio.com and at heatworld.com. We’re on all the smart speakers too, just say “play heat Radio".