Murray wants out of 'Enders - claim

Despite suggestions that Billy Murray is unhappy with his EastEnders character and is keen to quit the soap, the BBC claims that it is unaware of any such problem.

The actor, who plays Johnny Allen in the series, has allegedly said that he's not happy and wants to leave - two-and-a-half years before his contract expires.

An insider told The Sun: "Billy wants out. He's not happy on the show. There's a lot of back-stabbing and some of the stars don't get on - and he doesn't even like his character."

They claimed that 64-year-old Murray couldn't stand the "tense atmosphere" on set, adding: "He wants to go, but it's difficult because he signed a three-year contract and he's only been on screen for six months."

In response, an EastEnders spokesman stated: "Billy is very well liked among both the cast and crew. There is no indication that he is unhappy at all."

Murray came to prominence as The Bill's corrupt cop, Don Beech, a character he played for eight years and later reprised in the special spin-off, Beech On The Run.