Call the Midwife cast ‘shocked’ as star is axed from BBC show

CALL the Midwife actor Olly Rix is to be written out of the hit BBC1 show.

It comes shortly after he and on-screen wife Helen George both split from their partners.

His sudden departure is said to have shocked castmates, especially as his character, Matthew Aylward, married Helen’s character, Trixie Franklin, this year.

Olly, 36, was informed by scriptwriters only last week that he would be leaving — with filming for the new series already under way.

Yesterday, an insider said: “The news of Olly’s departure has left the cast and crew stunned and upset.

"They all thought he was a mainstay on the series after his prominent wedding scenes to Helen last season.

“Some feel it’s a bit unfair and he is well liked by everyone.

“It felt very out of the blue.

"There is concern now among the remaining cast about not wanting to upset production and people are keeping their heads down.”

We revealed in July that Olly had broken up with make-up artist Natasha Fagri after seven years.

Helen, 39, said in the same month that her relationship with partner Jack Ashton, 36, was over.

A spokeswoman for the show declined to comment.

BBC bosses have ordered two more series.