Bobby Brazier’s exit was confirmed by the show’s executive producers

Bobby Brazier has become a firm fan favourite on EastEnders ever since he made his debut three years ago playing Freddie Slater, the grown-up son of legendary character Little Mo (Kacey Ainsworth), who left the show years earlier. It was a poignant casting choice, as fans also knew of Bobby as the real-life son of the late reality TV star Jade Goody, who died of cancer in 2009 at just 27, and TV presenter Jeff Brazier.

While his parents were known faces on television, Bobby was the first member of his family to take a stab at acting and he proved to be a natural onscreen charmer as Freddie, with a knack for comedy and big-hearted vulnerability, winning a National Television Award, a National Film Award UK for his performance in Curfewemerging, and emerging as runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing last year.

As executive producer Chris Clenshaw said, it was Bobby’s “energy, twinkle, and his spiritual side” which led to him winning the part of Freddie Slater. So, why is he leaving the show?

Clenshaw’s reference to a spiritual side turns out to hit the nail on the head, as Bobbie is in fact quitting EastEnders after three years to focus on Hare Krishna, a form of Hinduism. Insiders say Bobby plans to spend a year living in a commune in India as he immerses himself in his spirituality.

And in a post on Instagram, Bobby wrote: “Chanting Hare Krishna mantra is so good, my heart.” A source told The Sun: “Bobby is really excited and happy about his move to India. He’s been telling everyone about it and preaching to them about why he is devoted to Hare Krishna.

“He’s such a nice young man, his heart is in the right place, but some people are surprised that he’s walking away from his career at a time when he’s on such a high with it.” In June, it was announced Bobby would be leaving the soap at an unspecified point this year, and the actor also talked about his future after leaving Walford.

He told OK! Magazine: “I don’t know, I guess that’s how it really goes and how it works in this industry. You never really know what’s next until you go for it. But yeah, I’d like to play a variety of different roles so I can work out what I like, what I’m good at and what I need to work on.”