It was confirmed by EastEnders bosses over the weekend that troubled teen star Joshua Pascoe is leaving the soap and his role as Ben Mitchell.

He’s set to appear on our screens for the last time towards the end of the summer when it becomes public knowledge that Ben murdered Heather Trott.

However, the how and why of the revelation is being kept a secret by the show’s bosses.

The news comes after it was reported last week that 16 year old Joshua – who was brought into the soap in 2010 after Charlie Jones, who formerly played Ben, was axed – was arrested on Thursday in connection with inquiries into an alleged sexual assault.

But an insider claims that the arrest has nothing to do with Joshua being axed from the cast.

Earlier this year, Joshua was at the centre of another police investigation after he was suspended from a prestigious acting academy in London following allegations of bullying. No further action was taken into the incident.

The source said, “Joshua was always going to leave at the end of his current contract due to his storyline.

“There was no way Ben could stay on the Square long term after killing Heather.”

And an official spokesperson added to the Daily Star Sunday, “It comes as no surprise to the viewers of EastEnders that the character of Ben will be departing Walford when the truth finally emerges.”

Here’s a reminder of Joshua’s first ever appearance in the role of Ben…