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SOAP SHOCK
EastEnders legend leaves soap – and teases a huge twist he didn’t see coming in his exit storyline
THE star made his debut in Walford 18 years ago
EASTENDERS legend Matt Di Angelo has revealed he’s left the soap - and teased a huge twist for his exit storyline.
The actor - who plays villain Dean Wicks in the BBC soap - spoke exclusively to The Sun about his shock exit.
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Viewers know Dean is currently in prison awaiting trial for the murder of Keanu Taylor.
Rapist Dean was framed for the crime by Linda Carter and the other members of The Six after she killed Keanu to save Sharon.
The women covered up the crime before planting the murder weapon on Dean to save themselves.
And now it appears the end is nigh for Dean - certainly for now anyway.
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“Dean is a bit like the World Cup,” Matt said speaking exclusively to The Sun on the red carpet for the Radio Times Soap Awards.
“You can handle a bit of him every six years or so, and then after a week you’re like, ‘OK enough of this’.
“He’s a fun character to play and all the people I work with like Kellie [Bright] and Di Parrish, I’ve known them for a long time, they’ve known me since I was a young guy so they’re fun to work with.”
Asked if viewers would see Dean back on Square wanting revenge if the truth emerged, Matt said: “No, not back to the Square.”
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However he did add that the trial is coming - and it’s sooner than viewers expected.
“There is a trial,” he said.
EastEnders' Linda Carter gets a Halloween shock as her rapist Dean Wicks returns
“I know the result of the trial, because we’ve filmed it already. I can tell you - but I won’t because it would ruin the television.”
Actor Matt revealed the show shot on location for the big storyline - and teased a major twist for it that surprised even him.
“We were on location for a full week and most of the trial is filmed,” he added.
“There was a twist at the end of it that sort of surprised me.”
He added: “Yeah, it is what it is. I’ve done my trial and yeah that’s it.
IT'S THE RIGHT TIME
The Sun's Soaps Editor Carl Greenwood reveals why now is the right time for Matt to leave the show
THERE was some controversy when it was revealed Matt Di Angelo was making a comeback as Dean Wicks.
And with good reason - Dean’s a vile rapist and belongs behind bars, not freely roaming the world collecting more victims.
However the way Matt plays him makes it worthwhile for him to be back - for a short while anyway.
As the actor himself told us, Dean’s best in small doses and we’ve had him for the best part of a year now.
Linda getting revenge - if not justice for what he did to her - by framing him for Keanu’s murder is fitting.
No matter what happens next, it’s going to be dramatic and explosive and all those other fun words used about soap storylines.
I have every faith that Chris Clenshaw and the team will have made this a fitting exit for Dean. For now, at least…
“The end is now. Until I have another child with dirty nappies and I have to go back to work with.”
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