Brian Conley aims dig at BBC soap as he unveils real reason for leaving EastEnders following feud rumours

Speculation of a feud with BBC bosses quickly hit the rumour mill because his departure seemed sudden, but both Conley and the BBC denied claims of a clash at the time.

However, Conley has since admitted there was some truth to the reports and recently explained the real reason he decided to leave the role.

Speaking to presenter Susanna Reid, about hosting the upcoming Radio Times Soap Awards, Conley confessed: "I left because you're not allowed to do anything else."

However, he went on to add: "Although I’ve now found out you can. But at the time, they said you can’t do anything."

"I'm a live performer, I love being live, I love getting out there - musicals and my own show which I’m currently doing," he continued.

"So for me I felt very restricted with those sorts of ties." The actor did go on to tease a potential return for his character though, despite character Cotton currently being behind bars.

"Never say never, I could always wander in or I could make an escape..." he teased.

The BBC soap has made household names out of many actors since it hit screens in 1985, and next year will mark the show's 40th anniversary.

Executive boss Chris Clenshaw teased the return of some of the memorable characters to mark the occasion.

He told The Sun: "As we head towards our 40th year, I think the nostalgic element means a lot. Into the autumn and the end of the year, we’ve got quite a few treats coming up."

Asked if that meant a return for long-departed characters, Chris replied: "Maybe. It all depends on the story and where the characters are. But it has to come from character, it has to come from story.

"It would depend when they’re looking back from, but probably. The 40th has been in the works for quite some time and Christmas is well underway.

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"In the story office, there is a board and it all connects. I compare it to a tapestry board, everything has to fit together."

GB News has contacted the BBC over Conley's claims.