Nigel On Quitting 'Enders

Nigel HarmanNigel Harman - aka Dirty Den's son Dennis in EastEnders - has revealed why he has to leave his award-winning role in the BBC soap.

Since appearing on screen in April 2003, the long-lost fruit of Den's loins has become one of the series' most popular characters.

Nigel has won TV awards such as Best Newcomer, Best Actor and Sexiest Male during his time on the show.

But the actor, 32, said it was time for him to go.

"It was something that was talked about over a period of time between myself and producers," he said.

"It wasn't a chuck all your toys out of the pram thing. We all came to a mutual decision.

Nigel confirmed his co-star Letitia Dean, who plays on-screen wife-to-be Sharon, would not be leaving the show for good - though she will be taking a break.

"Sharon and Dennis have had such a great run," he told Heat magazine. "But what would you do with them next? I could pretty much guarantee we've already done it."

He also said he thought it would be "weird to have one there without the other".

Nigel is set to film his last scenes on November 5 - but he won't be killed off.

"I think it'll be quite juicy but I'm waiting to find out, just like you are," he said.

"I'd like it to be a happy storyline, like Sharon and Dennis going off around the world for new adventures.

"Although obviously she'll have to come back on her own going 'What a bastard'."

He said: "I've got mixed emotions about it all. I'm excited, nervous and sad. EastEnders has been such a big part of my life."