Todd Carty, who plays Mark Fowler in the hit BBC soap EastEnders is to leave the show after twelve years, the corporation has confirmed.

The news emerged on the BBC's online news service, where the soap's executive producer Louise Berridge said Carty had made a "fantastic contribution" to the soap. She continued: "Todd and I have discussed this at some length and agreed that it was time for Mark to hang up his leather jacket for the last time.

"We will all miss Todd, who is one of our best-loved actors, and wish him every success in the future."

After joining the soap in 1990, Mark Fowler became one of EastEnders' most central characters, after being involved in a storyline where he caught HIV from his girlfriend. The twelve years on the soap saw his character involved in a lot of emotional storylines.

Carty told BBC News Online: "I've had 12 brilliant years on EastEnders, and they've been fantastic to me. I'll deeply miss all the cast and crew and everyone involved on the show.

"I'm looking forward to trying new things, seeing a little more of my children and finally setting a date for my wedding to Dina [his partner] next year."

For news on upcoming EastEnders storylines; including one involving Carty's character Mark and his on-screen wife Lisa, see our soaps section.