EastEnders' Rocky Cotton soap exit 'sealed' as he lies to wife Kathy Beale

07 October 2023 , 13:19

1195     0

EastEnders' Rocky Cotton soap exit 'sealed' as he lies to wife Kathy Beale

EastEnders actor Brian Conley is due to exit the soap soon and his character's dodgy financial moves could be the key to his upcoming departure. The actor, who announced he was leaving the soap back in September, plays Rocky Cotton, who recently tied the knot with Gillian Taylforth's character, Kathy Beale.

In the next week, viewers will see Rocky fall back into his dodgy ways of making money after he and Kathy face financial troubles, following the latter's pay-off of Rocky's ex-wife Jo, who blackmailed the pair after claiming Rocky has committed bigamy.

It becomes clear that Rocky may be battling a gambling addiction when he has to stall Kathy when she questions why his share of their loan repayments isn’t in her account. Things get worse when he lies to cover his tracks, saying Jay Brown hasn't done the wages before going to the gambling shop to try and win the money back.

Harvey is concerned about Rocky (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Joined by Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman), the taxi driver is unaware of the stakes for Rocky, but later is worried to see his pal heading to the bookies again and confronts him. Saying it's a bit of fun Rocky laughs off Harvey's concerns before sneaking back to the bookies to place more bets. Dorian (Luke J I Smith) later suggests to Rocky that betting on the boxing night will make him serious cash but he turns him down.

However, during a game of darts at The Vic, Rocky sneaks off to place a bet and gets a tip off George Knight (Colin Salmon). Could this gambling spiral lead to Rocky's exit from the Square? Time will only tell.

EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness

Brian Conley is on his way out of the Square (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

In September, Conley confirmed that he was departing Albert Square after three years as Rocky Cotton, the half-brother, through their dad, of 'Nasty' Nick Cotton – Dot's son. He appeared on Instagram to speak to EastEnders fans. He said: "Hello lovely people its me Brian Conley aka Rocky, sending out this message especially to all the EastEnders fans.

"Now you may have heard reports that I am leaving EastEnders, and it was a tough decision but it is true – I am going, and I made the decision for many reasons.

"It is tough because there’s such a wonderful crowd in front of the camera and behind, and I loved my three years there.

"I have gone with their blessings at the Beeb and I am excited for the future and where it’s going to go. I’m also excited about Rocky’s exit as I know it’s good! Sending much love, all EastEnders fans, enough said."

EastEnders is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Kathryn Williams