Eastenders star Ricky Norwood, who plays the sensitive Fatboy in the soap, has been suspended for two months after being caught smoking marijuana and performing a sex act on video.
Ricky was thought to have been filmed during a Skype video by a women who he met online.
A spokesperson for EastEnders said: We will be meeting with Ricky early next week to discuss this matter. We are unable to comment any further at this stage", before a statement released by the BBC confirmed that Ricky had been suspended.
Ricky Norwood at the National Television Awards
"Ricky Norwood has been suspended from the show for a period of 2 months with immediate effect", it said, before adding: "In addition, Ricky would like to apologise to EastEnders’ viewers for any offence caused and for bringing the show into disrepute. "Fatboy has been on the soap since 2010 and most recently shared a secret kiss with Ian Beale’s fiancée Denise.
Speaking to The Mirror, a source at Eastenders reportedly said: "We really like Ricky and he is always willing to do anything he can for the soap so it is a shame he has got mixed up in this. "It was reckless and we had to take action to show this behaviour is not acceptable for someone young people look up to," they said, before continuing: "He is being given a firm slap on the wrist, but he will be back and hopefully can learn from this." Ricky had recently spoke of his excitement of being part of the long-running award-winning BBC soap, saying: "I'm really excited actually about what is going to be coming up for Fats and for the show. There is going to be something for everybody. It's just the beginning.
"Ricky was also a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing’s 2013 Christmas Special, dancing the quickstep to Merry Christmas, Everyone with Janette Manrara.