'EastEnders' actor Harry Reid is set to leave the BBC soap.
Harry Reid
Harry has played Ben Mitchell since 2014, but he is to leave the show before the end of the year, with an explosive storyline marking the end of his time on screen.
A source explained: "Fans of Ben and the Mitchell family will be shocked to see his departure from the soap.
"He will star in a big storyline before the end of the year and be written out of the show as a result."
Harry's 'EastEnders' contract has expired, meaning he's now free to seek alternative work elsewhere.
The insider told The Sun newspaper: "Harry has played the role for three years and done Ben justice - but it's his time to move on from the programme.
"His contract has expired and he's now free to work on other projects."
However, Harry has previously insisted he loves working on the show and admitted he would be "deeply upset" if his character - who is the son of Phil Mitchell - was to be written out of the programme.
Speaking last year, the actor confessed: "How would anyone feel if they lost their job? I don't think anyone is pleased to go."
During his time on screen, Harry's character has come out as being gay.
And the actor has previously admitted to being disappointed by some TV viewers' reaction to his on-screen kiss with former co-star Jonny Labey.
After the kiss aired in 2015, he wrote on Instagram: "It's upsetting to read the negative tweets about the gay kiss in last night's episode of 'EastEnders'."