David Essex quits EastEnders

David Essex is quitting his role in 'EastEnders' to re-launch a music career.

The 70s heartthrob - who plays Eddie Moon in the BBC One soap - will be bowing out of Albert Square in mid-October in the hope of reviving his once successful pop career and releasing an acoustic album in time for Christmas.

He said: "It's been wonderful - really, really challenging, intimidating and it does take over your life, but I've been blessed because I've worked with wonderful actors.

"That was my circle that I worked with, and the level of performance from those actors and the pressure we're at, it's just incredible. There's this kind of galvanised quality of a family under pressure! I really enjoy it."

Speaking about his new album, he added to ITV1's 'This Morning': "It's got a lot of my previous hits and some new songs. I'm very pleased how it's going."

However, David's 'EastEnders' alter-ego doesn't look set to be leaving Walford quietly, as he admitted he has been working on a series of "powerful" exit plots, but producers are leaving the "door ajar" for a potential return in the future.

He explained: "Eddie's story lines from now until October are phenomenal. They're so powerful.

"They're leaving the door ajar for me. It's tricky. I'd like to go back, but it's time, really. And I do feel blessed that I seem to be able to work in so many different mediums."