'Enders star 'forced out of 25th party'

Former EastEnders star Mohammed George has revealed that he was removed from the show's 25th anniversary party.

On arriving at the party George, who played road sweeper Gus Smith, reportedly asked one of the show's bosses why they hadn't supported him when he was forced to leave the soap two years ago. The boss responded by having George removed from the party.

He told the Daily Star: "I didn't deserve to be treated that way. I had no choice but to leave again. She asked me how I was and, of course, I had to bring up everything that had happened.

"I hadn't seen her for two years. But she just said, 'If you're going to bring this up then you'd better leave'. There was no shouting, no abusive language and no threatening behaviour.

"I couldn’t believe it. I'd just arrived at the party and had been really looking forward to catching up with everyone. I said, 'Well when can we talk about this?' and she said, 'Never'.

"She said it’s better that I leave. During the conversation I was shaking people's hands. I was smiling, I was happy. I didn't deserve to be treated that way."

George also claimed that Sid Owen - who plays Ricky Butcher - tried to persuade him to return to the party.

"Everyone was shocked when they found out what was going on. Sid Owen tried to convince me to come back inside but I knew I wasn't wanted, so I decided to keep my dignity and just go," he concluded.

A BBC spokesman confirmed: "Mo George was asked to leave the party as his behaviour was not appropriate for a party celebrating 25 years of the show.

"We take the duty of care we have for all our artists extremely seriously and work closely with any artists who may be facing difficult issues."

George left EastEnders two years ago after being suspended for allegedly assaulting his former lover Emma Archibald.