[bbfan1991]

EASTENDERS stars were reeling last night after a bloody cull saw SIX characters shown the door.
They included mechanic Minty Peterson and cabbie Charlie Slater, played by Cliff Parisi and Derek Martin.

All will be phased out in the coming months and some could be killed off.


Fans will be sad to see the back of 77-year-old Derek, who joined EastEnders ten years ago.

Both his and Cliff Parisi's characters have been involved in major storylines down the years.

Cast members were given the news last night by executive producer Bryan Kirkwood, who used to run Hollyoaks on Channel 4.


It raised fears among stars that others could be next. A source on the BBC1 Albert Square drama said:


"People have been worried that the new guy would be getting rid of people. Now we know that he is."



The others to go are Libby Fox, played by Belinda Owusu, Liam Bergin as Danny Mitchell, Liz Turner - actress Kate Williams - and David Proud, wheelchair-bound Adam Best.

Insiders said the cull was part of a plan by Mr Kirkwood, 34, to breathe new life into the show.


A source close to the executive said: "It's sad to see characters go, but when a new executive producer comes in they're always keen to refresh the show.

"Some new people will be joining - and some of those will be youngsters."

Scot Mr Kirkwood, who began on Coronation Street, has a reputation as a ruthless axeman, binning TEN characters from Hollyoaks.

But he was also credited with giving that show its best family, the McQueens, and hit headlines with late-night Hollyoaks specials.

He is already bringing back EastEnders favourites Kat Slater and Alfie Moon.