Bobby Brazier’s EastEnders future resolved after crunch talks with BBC bosses

Bobby Brazier has renewed his contract with EastEnders amid fears he would quit Albert Square.

Actor and model Bobby, 20, has received a wave of offers since appearing on Strictly last year, and was said to be contemplating walking away from the BBC soap. But after a tense period for chiefs he has decided to continue his role as Freddie Slater in Walford.

One source said last night: “Bobby is seen as one of the Square’s brightest young stars, and to lose him would have been a massive blow for the show. For his part, he loves playing Freddie, but he was in such demand after Strictly and he felt he needed to give all of the offers open to him proper consideration.

“Thankfully he has now decided to renew his contract and everyone is thrilled. He does still have other projects he is in talks for, but they will run alongside his work on the show – much like Molly Rainford’s single last year or Tameka Empson’s recent play.”

Bobby – the son of tragic Jade Goody and Jeff Brazier – was a runaway favourite with fans when he took to the Strictly dance floor alongside Dianne Buswell, and reached the final before losing out to Ellie Leach.

Following his success on the ballroom show, Bobby returned to filming the soap on 19 February. And his character Freddie – who is described as “a modern day lad with a sensitive soul” – is now set to become a firm fixture in Albert Square.

But speaking in January, he admitted he has big plans for his future, and would like to become more of an all-rounder. He even confessed he is having singing lessons. He said: “I have the intention of learning how to become the best storyteller I can. I think the next couple of years is just about getting experience across the board. So maybe doing some theatre, some film, maybe learning how to sing.

“Maybe doing some more dancing. I think I’m still young, so yeah, throwing myself at lots of different things so I can learn my craft. I want to be a craftsman. You can’t get good at it unless you try all these different things and that’s scary,” he added.

Asked if his dad Jeff, 45, is keeping his feet on the ground, Bobby said: “Whenever someone asks me that, I always say I still feel like I haven’t really even started. I feel like it hasn’t really started yet. I’m pretty grounded anyway, but he’s put my rent up again. He took the liberty, he went to the estate agents. He found out how much that room would cost, and he’s charging me that! That keeps me honest!” An EastEnders spokeswoman said: “We never comment on artists’ contracts”.