'EastEnders' David Essex: 'Powerful storylines ahead before Eddie leaves'

EastEnders star David Essex has promised that there are big storylines on the way for his character Eddie Moon before he makes his departure from the soap.

As revealed when the actor first took on the role, Eddie will be leaving screens in October as Essex is going on tour with the play All the Fun of the Fair. Whether the antiques dealer will be back in Walford at a later date is currently unclear.

Speaking of his time at EastEnders, Essex told This Morning today: "It's been wonderful - really, really challenging, intimidating and it does take over your life, but I've been blessed because I've worked with wonderful actors - my boys Tony Discipline, Matt Lapinskas and Steve John Shepherd, Zöe Lucker and Lindsey Coulson, and of course Shane and Jessie.

"That was my circle that I worked with, and the level of performance from those actors and the pressure we're at, it's just incredible. All the way down from the top to the bottom, there's this kind of galvanised quality of a family under pressure! And it works - I really enjoy it."

Discussing Eddie's future, he continued: "All I can tell you is that Eddie's storylines from now until October are phenomenal. They're so powerful."

Essex said that he has embraced the air of mystery surrounding Eddie, whose past is currently being explored on screen as his son Michael does some detective work.

"I've tried to play him slightly ambiguous, with a certain darkness, so you don't quite know what he's like," he explained. "I've really enjoyed it, it was a challenge and I'm so pleased it went so well."

Meanwhile, asked whether he will return to EastEnders, Essex replied: "It's tricky. I'd like to go back, but it's time, really. And I do feel blessed that I seem to be able to work in so many different mediums."

EastEnders fans will be introduced to Craig Moon - another of Eddie's sons - in the coming weeks.

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