EastEnders actor Aaron Sidwell is leaving the soap for the second time, it has been confirmed. Rumours emerged this week after some of the cast attended a leaving party held in his honour. A spokesperson from the BBC told HELLO! Online: "Aaron Sidwell is part of one of the big upcoming storylines and we can confirm, following dramatic scenes to be aired later this summer, he will be leaving the show. We wish Aaron all the very best for the future."
STORY: Linda Carter has dramatic showdown with Whitney over recent betrayal
The 28-year-old, who plays restaurant manager Steven Beale, is leaving to pursue a career in theatre. The soap star will take on the role of Fiyero in musical classic Wicked on the UK & Ireland Tour. Aaron said in a statement: "I'm so excited to be joining the Wicked UK & Ireland Tour in 2018. This is one of my favourite shows, and Fiyero has for a long time been a dream role of mine. I can’t wait to get back on stage." Father-of-two Aaron made his return to EastEnders in 2016 after an eight-year break. During his time away from the show, he starred on the stage in American Idiot, Ghost: The Musical and Romeo and Juliet.
Aaron Sidwell is leaving EastEnders for the second time
Over the past few weeks, viewers have seen his character play twisted mind games with his fiancé Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa). Steven is set to become involved in Max Branning's (Jake Wood) latest scheme to make sure his lie about having "only three months to live" to is protected. Steven had told his partner that he has a brain tumour and that it's terminal in a bid to keep her with him.
STORY: EastEnders star Aaron Sidwell celebrates divorce on Twitter
Speaking to Radio Times about his false admission, Aaron shared: "The way Steven feels is very natural. I think there's the feeling in all of us that if we feel someone we love pulling away, then our instinct is to hold on tighter. But someone with more of a control on themselves wouldn't go to the lengths that Steven has gone to. He's a very difficult and dangerous person. You just don't know what his cut-off point would be."