EASTENDERS fans have slammed soap bosses for “ruining” beloved character Rocky Cotton all because actor Brian Conley has quit.
The cocky conman – who has been played by Brian for three years in the BBC soap – has become a fan favourite after arriving as a long-lost Cotton.
Viewers have watched him fall in love with Kathy Beale and marry her, despite his gruesome ex-wife Jo trying to ruin things for them.
But now the beloved character has been changed.
He has been turned into a gambling addict who is planning to burn down Kathy’s cafe in order to claim on the insurance money.
In tonight’s episode Rocky was seen having a run of good luck and winning big at the betting shop.
However just as he was ready to pocket his winnings and leave – and after a bizarre gambling montage – Rocky was convinced to place one more bet.
And shockingly that bet went badly and Rocky was forced into humiliating himself in front of loan shark Nish Panesar.
But with Nish now adding another 30 per cent onto his loan, Rocky was horrified.
He had a temporary reprieve when best mate Harvey told him he’d managed to get a loan to pay Nish back – but even that was taken away when Harvey discovered Rocky had been gambling.
With nowhere left to turn Rocky made a shock decision and let himself into the cafe to burn it down.
And fans are furious about how his character has been ruined.
One wrote: “I used to love Rocky but it pains me to watch him now, knowing that he’s leaving.”
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A second said: “Seems like a placeholder scenes for rocky’s sudden exit?”
Another added: “Famous last words yet again unfortunately Kathy. Rocky literally came in as a total con artist & looks like he’ll be leaving for the exact same reason FFS!!!.”
