EASTENDERS bosses are said to be concerned there may be a 'mass exodus' of the cast as they adjust to a new normal following the coronavirus pandemic.
The Sunday Mirror claims several stars of the BBC soap will take storyline breaks over the next few months as a knock on effect of COVID-19.
The news comes after it was announced that Jake Wood - who has played Max Branning on EastEnders for 15 years - would be departing Albert Square.
However, Max has been written out and not killed off - meaning the door remains open for the 48-year-old actor. An EastEnders spokesperson told The Sun Online: "It is not unusual in soaps for cast to have breaks for storyline reasons or other projects. "However these are always planned months in advance and no.