EastEnders star Shane Richie has denied reports that he is leaving the soap.
The actor, 51, was said to have hinted that fans should be prepared to wave goodbye to his alter-ego Alfie Moon in Albert Square.
His comments came after the BBC announced that Kat (played by Jessie Wallace) and Alfie will be leaving Walford temporarily, to star in their own spin-off series.
Their characters visit Ireland to put their rocky past behind them in the six-part drama.
But Shane has now tweeted to insist this does not mean he is leaving the show for good.
Lovely people, seems I've been mis-quoted, I'm NOT leaving @bbceastenders #walfordforever
— Shane Richie (@realshanerichie) May 5, 2015
The actor joined the BBC One soap in 2002 and after leaving in 2005, returned almost five years later.
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