EastEnders star 'gutted' at leaving

Michael Greco says he is gutted that Beppe is leaving Albert Square.

The EastEnders star has been told his character is being written out in the summer.

Greco says the news that his contract was coming to and end had come out of the blue.

"Hand on my heart, I didn't know about this. I'm a bit gutted," he said.

The BBC says the character Beppe has run its course.

But Greco says he has had lots of ideas for different storylines for Beppe.

"I felt they hadn't really explored this guy," he said.

"As an actor you need that creative challenge. Beppe's past had never really been looked at. This guy spent years as a vice cop.

"There was a whole different world to introduce. I'd love something to come back to haunt him, turn him into a bad guy."