Brian Conley blasts 'intense' EastEnders as he explains why he quit BBC soap
EastEnders star Brian Conley has spoken out against the show's hectic work schedule and says that the long and 'intense' hours was a factor in his decision to quit the show.
The 62 year old star who has enjoyed a glittering career since 1989, joined the BBC soap in 2021 and played Tom 'Rocky' Cotton. But after two years, Brian felt that he had, had enough of the gruelling work schedule, especially as bosses reportedly barred the cast from doing pantomime - something which he has been doing since the late seventies.
Speaking to Kate Thornton on her podcast White Wine Question Time, he said: "I'm leaving to pursue other ventures." When asked if pantomime was a good earner, he said: "Well yes, but you know there's other things I do. Of course, EastEnders takes up 11 months of your life and at times it's extremely intensive."
Brian Conley played Tom 'Rocky' Cotton since 2021He added: "It's not just about filling my boots. I absolutely love pantomime. I love everything that it involves because it does involve everything whether you're acting, pathos, comedy, singing, dancing, ad-libbing, with the kids, topical humour. "
He continued: "They don't mind you just having a laugh, they want to see that. What other discipline (offers that)? If it's a stage show, a musical, you know 'don't break that fourth wall'. So there's all that. Last year in Woking we took £1.4m in four weeks."
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Earlier this month it was revealed that EastEnders bosses had told the cast that they had to choose between pantomime and the soap next year as filming for it's 40th anniversary would clash with the pantomime schedule. And at the time there were fears that Brian's shock exit would fuel other cast members to follow in his footsteps. The show has already started to make plans to celebrate its 40th year which is in February 2025.
A source told The Sun that bosses needed to know that all cast members have to be available so the writers can develop storylines to maintain a high level of drama. The source added: "There’s a real buzz around the anniversary with plans already underway to bring audiences some explosive storylines. Filming for February usually takes place before Christmas, so for those wanting to do a five-week run would mean the show would be unable to use them in any of their plans relating to the anniversary.”
Now, Brian is excited to see how he spends his new-found free time and tells Kate about his new new career plans. He said: "To be in that position - 'now what shall I do now? - it's very exciting. I've got a book now that we're working on that I'm going to bring out next year. I'm two years older than when my dad died - 'why don't you go out there and see what else?'. Whenever I've given anything up, always something, doors have opened. I've never done anything for three years - that's how long I've been in EastEnders. Also, I've never gone back to anything either."
The soap star and TV personality is also set to go on tour with his daughter Lucy. Speaking of the tour called 3 Farewell Tour, he added: "I just said to my management 'I love it so much'. And another reason is that I'm doing it with one of my daughters, Lucy. She likes doing improv. I'm 62, so I have done it for 50 years this business. And that's where I am with EastEnders. "
He added: "I made a decision because you're not allowed to do anything else. I just thought 'you know what, I'm not getting any younger - there's a few others things I'd like to do'. Even experience getting in a camper van and going through New Zealand. Stuff like that that I've never, ever done. Our kids have left home now, everything's paid for, and I just thought it is very full on. Because what you have with EastEnders is a lot of homework. When you're there that's the fun bit. "
Brian continued: "Always constantly there's stuff you've got to learn. So when you are in the car making your way there or coming home, or my wife going 'Oh, we're going to watch that film', I'm going 'I've got to go in the other room and look at these words'. You never sort of get away from it. Even when you're on holiday, you're going 'Oh, what's the next block of scripts'."
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