EastEnders’ Mila actress Ruhtxjiaïh Bèllènéa leaving soap after just one year – sparking cast fears of mass axing
EASTENDERS actress Ruhtxjiaïh Bèllènéa is leaving the soap after just one year of playing Mila.
The star’s exit in the coming weeks comes shortly after her onscreen girlfriend Iqra, played by Priya Davdra, bid farewell to the square – leaving other cast members concerned for their future.
A source said: “Ruhtxjiaïh was brought into the soap last year to be part of a very important FGM storyline.
“Her character’s time has run its course so it’s time for her to move on.
“There has been a lot of change on the soap recently and other stars are getting concerned they could be part of the next shake-up.”
A rep for EastEnders said: “To suggest cast are in fear is speculative nonsense.”
The changes come as Executive Producer Jon Sen has stepped down and has been replaced by Chris Clenshaw.
The past year has seen the departures of Maisie Smith, who plays Tiffany Butcher, and Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale).
Danny Dyer (Mick Carter) has also just announced he’s leaving the soap.
Most read in Soaps
During her time on the BBC soap Mila saved her younger sister Kioni from being subjected to female genital mutilation.
Their mother ended up getting sent to jail so Kioni and Mila moved in to live with Kathy.
Mila was dating Muslim character Iqra and opened up about her struggles to her – revealing she was using a fake name because she didn’t want her family to find out she was gay.
Viewers were left fuming by Iqra’s sudden departure from the soap and felt she had a lot more to offer – in particular with the storyline surrounding the new mosque after the attempted terrorist attack.
