'EastEnders' is to axe son and stepfather duo Mickey and Keith Miller because bosses at the soap feel the characters have "run out of steam".
The characters - who have been played by actors Joe Swash and David Spinx since 2003 and 2004 respectively - were told by executive producer Diederick Santer on Friday that their contracts would not be renewed.
A friend of 26-year-old Swash told The Sun: "He and David were told their characters had run out of steam by 'EastEnders' boss Diederick Santer. Joe was stunned at first. He's loved playing Mickey and felt the fans still enjoyed watching his antics."
The friend added: "But he soon realised if the stories weren't there, he didn't want to be just going through the motions. He's now thinking over his next move carefully. He doesn't want to become just another former soap star."
