Jessie threatens walk-out

Morale among the cast of EastEnders has slumped so low that star Jessie Wallace is close to quitting the soap.

12:10 28 April 2005

Morale among the cast of EastEnders has slumped so low that star Jessie Wallace is close to quitting the soap.

Jessie, who plays feisty Kat Moon, has only just returned to Albert Square after taking maternity leave, but is already thinking of leaving again despite a massive pay offer.

The new mum is disillusioned by the exodus of top stars including Michelle Ryan, who played on-screen sister Zoe, and Chris Parker, who played brother-in-law Spencer.

Meanwhile, Shane Richie, who plays her Walford husband Alfie, is also on the verge of leaving the soap to take a sabbatical and pursue other acting roles.

"Jessie's stuck it out with EastEnders through loyalty," a friend told the Daily Mirror.

"But with a lot of cast members she gets on with quitting, such as Michelle and Chris, the morale just isn't the same."

The actress is also keen to spend more time with her daughter, Tallulah Lilac, something she is finding difficult after returning to the gruelling filming schedule.

BBC bosses are apparently hoping to at least ensure that Alfie and Kat leave Albert Square at the same time - with a number of dramatic storylines planned before then.

"To have Shane and Jessie going together would be a nightmare for long-term ratings," the source told the newspaper.

"But in the short-term it would offer some potentially explosive storylines and bring in much-needed viewers."