[Scarlett.]

Marc Elliott and John Partridge are to leave EastEnders, it has been announced.

The duo, who play lovers Syed Masood and Christian Clarke, will be written out of the BBC soap in November in a dramatic storyline currently being kept under wraps.

Digital Spy can confirm that Elliott informed EastEnders bosses of his intention to leave back in February. Show chiefs and Partridge then reached the mutual decision that Christian should depart screens at the same time as Syed.

Executive producer Lorraine Newman explained: "Marc and John have been a fantastic part of EastEnders and the characters of Syed and Christian have been a huge success for the show.

"Their storylines have broken boundaries that have not been seen in a soap before, and the love for them by the viewers can be seen in the 'Chryed' fans.

"When Marc announced he had decided to move on, we had a tough decision to make and after numerous conversations, which included John, it was decided that there is only one outcome for Syed and Christian. We wish them both all the best for the future."

Elliott, who joined the series in 2009, said: "I have had a brilliant time on EastEnders over the last three and a half years and made some amazing friends. During this time, I have been blessed with some incredible storylines and am especially pleased that the show has tackled and raised awareness of the sensitive subject matter of being a gay Muslim.

"As an actor you are always looking for new challenges, and I feel that now is the right time to move on and explore different projects, perhaps returning to my roots in theatre. I would like to thank everyone at EastEnders for the wonderful opportunity they have given me and for making this experience so much fun."

Partridge, who first appeared as Christian in 2008, added: "I have had the time of my life at EastEnders - but I have always gone with my gut - and leaving at the same time as Marc felt like the ONLY thing to do. It is the right end to the story and for Christian. But also, excitingly, the start of a whole new chapter for me."

Earlier this week, Masood Ahmed actor Nitin Ganatra teased that Syed would return to the "dodgy dealings" of his younger days in a future storyline.

Meanwhile, EastEnders newcomer Gary Lucy's character Danny Pennant is rumoured to be involved in a love triangle with Syed and Christian when he arrives in Walford.

[Black Dagger]

Gary Lucy is joining the show? -SWOON-

[Jake.]

Best news I have heard so far today

[Kazanne]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo,I love those two especially Christian

[Jords]

Cant stand them tbh

[Niamh.]

They've done feck all in it for ages anyway. On a side note did anyone else think that Christian looked like the John Paul Gaultier after shave bottle on last nights show?

[flamingGalah!]

Brilliant! I cannot stand Christian! John Partridge, because of his theatre background, is way too "teeth & hands" for a soap

[Jordan.]

Thank god Christian is going.

[Locke.]

Christian is great, Syed is terrible though

[Marsh.]

Thank god. Wet blanket Syed is boring, and Christian is way too OTT and self centred. Can't stand them.

But, I'm not surprised that the actor quit, he's not really been given much to do for well over a year.

[Maia]

Great stuff, they're both so dull

[Me. I Am Salman]

They weren't that bad characters
Joey and Tyler should be axed instead.
Apparently there's a

Spoiler:

car crash

coming up so that might be the exit...

[BigBrotherfan4ever]

Originally Posted by Salman!

They weren't that bad characters
Joey and Tyler should be axed instead.
Apparently there's a

Spoiler:

car crash

coming up so that might be the exit...

Totally agree with you about Joey & Tyler gutted Christian & Syed are leaving.

[reece(:]

Joey, Kat and Derek need to leave ASAP too.

[Saph]

they're the most boring gay couple i've seen on tv they should get one like bob and lee from DH

[Redway]

Brightened up my day and all, this...Chyred have been on their last legs for a while now and they were probably only there for the sake of it. They should have left when they got the Julia's Theme in July 2010 as that was the end to their storyline.

[flamingGalah!]

I have not looked but can you imagine what those saddo's on Digital Spy will be saying, those that post in the 'Chryed' thread that has been going for like years, probably planning a mass suicide

[Redway]

Originally Posted by flamingGalah!

I have not looked but can you imagine what those saddo's on Digital Spy will be saying, those that post in the 'Chryed' thread that has been going for like years, probably planning a mass suicide

I was actually on there the other night and there were a few people literally in tears lol

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by flamingGalah!

I have not looked but can you imagine what those saddo's on Digital Spy will be saying, those that post in the 'Chryed' thread that has been going for like years, probably planning a mass suicide

I've never understood why gay relationships get such big threads on there lol

[Suze]

Can't stand Eastenders anymore, but channel hopping yesterday I did see Sharon, when did she get back in it? calling Denny, her child I think? And thought my goodness where did they get that child, he is one of the worst child actors in a long time, so I suppose fitting for Eastenders then.

[flamingGalah!]

Originally Posted by Redway

I was actually on there the other night and there were a few people literally in tears lol

There are some ********** nutters on there

Originally Posted by Chewy

I've never understood why gay relationships get such big threads on there lol

Not just gay ones, there is STILL a John James & Josie thread going, nearly TWO YEARS after they split up

[Marc]

Bye

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Marc

Bye

Modspam, you must ban yourself now.

[Marc]

Hahaha

Bye bye guys

[Redway]

Originally Posted by Chewy

I've never understood why gay relationships get such big threads on there lol

A thread on a sheet of paper could get 200 comments on there lol.