EastEnders hunk Jack Derges quits the Square for the stage
Jack has starred as unhinged builder Andy Flynn for the last four months
HIS shirtless shower scenes have been sending EastEnders viewers into meltdown since he arrived on the Square in March.
But after just four months at the dark heart of the soap’s most sinister-developing plot line, Jack Derges is packing up his abs and quitting the show.
I can reveal Walford’s hottest hunk is filming his final scenes as unhinged builder Andy Flynn before he swaps Albert Square for the West End.
Come September, Jack will star in a brand new role as a gay hustler called Cowboy in hit Broadway show The Boys In The Band when it makes huge revival in London, where I’m told there will be plenty more opportunity for fans to see his torso.
An EastEnders insider said: “When Andy arrived, viewers didn’t realise he was hiding a dark secret, but over the past few weeks it has become clear his intentions towards Ronnie and her family are not what they seem.
“Andy was only ever going to be in EastEnders for this story line, but it’s fair to say there is lots more drama to come before Andy leaves Walford.”
RELATED STORIES
Albert Square’s most recent resident has been revealed as the adoptive brother of Ronnie Mitchell’s long lost daughter Danielle, who was killed-off in 2009 when she was hit by a car.
Back to avenge his sister, Andy has been stalking Ronnie, who he blames for her death, using her sister Roxy as a way to get to her with speculation mounting that he could be set to murder one of the Mitchell sisters — but is yet to choose his victim.
An Eastenders spokesperson said: “The character of Andy was created for a specific story line which is currently coming to the end. We wish Jack all the best for the future.”
Jack, who has also starred as robot Simon in Channel 4’s hugely-successful Humans, will now appear alongside a star-studded cast, including Sherlock actor Mark Gatiss, who plays the lead of Harold, and Miranda star James Holmes, in the dark and witty play The Boys In The Band.
It’s a great move for Jack.
All's swell with Katie
KATIE PRICE is never one to do things by halves.
And the debut of her new boobs – which she has had operated on for an eighth time – was anything but low-key.
In typical Pricey style, she stripped down to a green leopard-print swimsuit and sarong for a feature by fashion presenter MARK HEYES about beachwear on Loose Women. Last week she opened up about her latest procedure – having earlier promised to stick to smaller boobs.
She explained: “Being impulsive, I just went, ‘Oh, go bigger then’. Maybe it’s the Gemini in me.
“I got used to having smaller boobs and all my clothes were all size ten or 12 and now I’m a 16 again. I don’t wear a bra because they’re so pert.”
Her new assets were not the only thing she revealed on the show. She also opened up about some of her high-profile relationships – but she wasn’t talking about GARETH GATES, PETER ANDRE or ALEX REID.
She said: “I have had a few relationships nobody knows about that are not even in my books. So I can be private.
“Just thought I would share that with everybody. I’d like to put out there that I can be private.”
Sometimes. . .
Back to the Creek
CULT BBC drama Jonathan Creek is returning to our screens after a two-year break.
ALAN DAVIES will revisit his role as the amateur sleuth for a one-off 90- minute special on BBC1 later this year.
The episode, called Daemons’ Roost, will star SARAH ALEXANDER as his wife Polly, while other leading names include Star Wars’ WARWICK DAVIS.
Alan said: “Jonathan Creek finds himself in real danger. It’s the spookiest episode ever.”
The show last aired in 2014, making a three-part run a full decade after its previous outing – and getting a lukewarm reaction from critics in the process.
Hopefully this isn’t a comeback too far.
Brit duo cross to Atlantic
MORE star names have signed up to join IDRIS ELBA and FREIDA PINTO on new Sky Atlantic drama Guerrilla.
Multi-award-winning actor RORY KINNEAR, who plays chief of staff Bill Tanner in the James Bond films, has joined the six-part political thriller along with Line Of Duty star DANIEL MAYS.
The duo will play Pence and Cullen, police officers assigned to a secret counter-intelligence unit within Special Branch that targets black activism in 1970s London. Behind the camera, John Ridley – who penned the screenplay for 12 Years A Slave – is writing the series.
The Oscar winner is sharing directing duties with Emmy-nominated Sam Miller, who Idris teamed up with on BBC hit Luther.
SOAPBOX
After the death of his wife Kylie, David Platt is struggling to keep his anger in check on CORONATION STREET.
In tonight’s episode he flies off the handle and rushes after Todd, who is on his way to the police station to reveal the truth about how Callum was killed last year.
But thankfully Sarah stays calm, getting David to take a step back and persuading Todd to hide the truth for the sake of Kylie’s kids.
Over on NEIGHBOURS, things are only getting worse for Sonya and Toadie.
Her mayoral decisions have not proven popular in Erinsborough and one enemy releases a venomous snake outside their house.
There’s bound to be a slippery character behind a move like that.
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220