EastEnders star Brian Conley teases return to the soap just weeks after Rocky Cotton exit
Actor and comedian Brian Conley shocked fans last autumn when he revealed his plans to abruptly quit EastEnders - but now he has hinted he will head back to the BBC show
Brian Conley has hinted he may return to EastEnders as bad boy Tom ‘Rocky’ Cotton – after his character was locked up at the end of last year.
Soap fans will know 62-year-old Brian played Rocky on the long-running BBC soap from 2021 until he was locked away on 29 December last year. His character was collateral damage for The Six – the group of female characters that covered up the murder of Keanue Taylor.
Soap fans will know that Keanu’s body was moved by The Six to the burned out remains of Kathy Beale’s cafe. Rocky had previously burned it down, and Kathy convinced Rocky to confess his crime to the police as they tried to cover their tracks and after he had shared hazy drunken memories of witnessing some of the women moving tarpaulin into the burned out shell of the cafe.
Brian had been something of a fan favourite eon the soap – and his shock decision to quit last year left viewers stunned. But now he has suggested he may well return to the soap in due course.
The actor played Tom ‘Rocky’ Cotton from 2021 until 2023 (
BBC/Jack Barnes)
Brian is currently on tour with his ‘The 3rd Farewell Tour’ (
Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty I)
Speaking to the Swindon Advertiser, he said: “Playing Rocky was nerve-wracking at first because the show is so iconic and I look back with very fond memories. I am in prison so I haven’t died and that’s a nice thought and I could get off with good behaviour.”
Brian hinted that his desire to work on other projects influenced his decision to walk away from EastEnders. He is on the road with his show, The 3rd Farewell Tour, and suggested working full time on the soap wouldn’t afford him the time to appear on stage.
He explained: “It was great fun and it was my choice to leave because you are very restricted in the show as you can’t really do anything else and I wanted a break from that. Three years was long enough for me as it has been a wonderful journey and everyone there is so lovely in front of the camera and behind it.
“They are so supportive and I remember Natalie Cassidy who plays Sonia Fowler telling me that they had all been in my shoes and know exactly what it is like to come into the show.”
His latest update comes exactly four months after he announced he would be departing Albert Square. He said on 5 October: “You may have heard reports that I’m leaving EastEnders. It was a tough decision but it is true, I am going and I made it for many reasons, that decision. It is tough because they’re such a wonderful crowd, in front of the cameras and behind the cameras and I’ve loved my three years there. So that’s the truth in the reports.”
He continued: “There’s other parts of reports saying that I clashed with TV bosses and the crew. I didn’t clash with anyone. I didn’t have a rant. But they’ll probably report on this now that I’m ranting about ranting! But I’m not ranting! I have gone with their blessings at the Beeb and I’m excited about the future and where it’s going to go. And I’m also excited about Rocky’s exit because I know it’s good. So I’m sending you much love – all EastEnders fans.”
An earlier report had suggested his desire to leave the show had left soap bosses fuming. A source told The Sun at the time: “They’d made so many plans around him and his character, and they really thought he was in for the long haul. There has been a lot said in private about him messing up their plans. Whatever has wound him up, it feels like he can’t get out of there quick enough – and now they’re going to have to rewrite their storyline plans for his rapid exit.”
