EASTENDERS star Michelle Ryan has broken her silence on Zoe Slater being killed off – and the truth about the behind the scenes ‘row’.
Last month The Sun exclusively revealed that her alter-ego would die in one of the ‘blandest’ deaths in the BBC soap’s history.
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Michelle originally played the role of Zoe in EastEnders between 2000 and 2005, and last year she made an epic return.
But now she has been axed just a year after her long-awaited comeback.
The soap star has since admitted that this was always what she had planned.
Speaking with The Times, Michelle recently said: “My agent and I sort of discussed from the outset that it would be a year, and I think that when we came to look at where Zoe was going, it just seemed like a natural conclusion for her to die, because for her to run away again would have gone against everything she’d fought for; for her children.
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“So as sad as it was to hear that Zoe was going to be killed off, I was like, ‘I completely understand that.
“And I’d always felt that I would be going back for a year because I really do like the variety I have with my career and playing different parts.”
She also touched upon her relationship with executive producer Ben Wadey – and confirmed that they are on good terms despite her being axed.
Michelle added: “I’m not somebody who’s just going to talk bulls**t, and, actually, Ben has been so supportive the entire time, and I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true.
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“So I think that it will be nice if people can embrace the storyline.”
The 42-year-old has already filmed her final scenes.
In the coming weeks viewers will see Zoe brush off the effects of a fall in which she bangs her head.
She is found dead in bed the next day by her mum Kat.
A source said: “It looks as if her death is going to be as flat and as lacklustre as her comeback.
“Many will feel her death is rushed and dull. And in a show known for its sensational exits, Zoe’s will go down as one of the blandest.”
An EastEnders spokeswoman said: “We won’t be commenting on storylines.
“We don’t want to spoil things for our viewers.”
Michelle has since shared that she’s working on a new project.
She shared a stunning image of herself to Instagram and captioned it: “Working on my next project this summer and looking forward to sharing more soon.
“It’s been a busy stretch, so if you’ve written and are still waiting on a reply — they’re on the way.”
EastEnders isn’t the only TV show that Michelle has starred in.
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Over the years she’s landed roles on Jekyll, Bionic Woman, Doctor Who and Death in Paradise.
Michelle has also been in films such as Cashback, Flick, Cleanskin and Andron.