Huge EastEnders star quits showbiz for sudden move to India to practice religion

A fan-favourite EastEnders star is reportedly quitting the showbiz industry to move to India. The son of Jade Goody and Jeff Brazier, Bobby Brazier, rose to prominence with his role as Freddie Slater in the long-running soap in 2022. The role even earned him a National Television Award.

He was a contestant on the 21st series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 and finished as a runner-up. He also won a National Film Award UK for his performance in Curfew. Despite his success in the showbiz world, it has been said the star decided to quit and focus on Hare Krishna, a form of Hinduism.

A source has claimed the star is planning to stay in a commune in India following his final stint as Freddie on the BBC soap.

READ MORE: Dianne Buswell addresses Strictly Come Dancing future amid uncertainty

READ MORE: Soaps spoilers next week: Emmerdale arrest, Corrie proposal and EastEnders return

Speaking to The Sun, they claimed: "Bobby is really excited and happy about his move to India. He’s been telling everyone about it and preaching to them about why he is devoted to Hare Krishna.

"He’s such a nice young man, his heart is in the right place, but some people are surprised that he’s walking away from his career at a time when he’s on such a high with it."

The insider went on to claim the actor plans on being there for at least a year and might 'pick up' on his career when he returns. The Mirror have reached out to his reps for comment.

The 22-year-old, who joined the BBC soap in 2022, became a fan favourite on EastEnders thanks to Freddie’s dramatic storylines, including the teen discovering unsettling truths about his biological father and navigating a potential romance with Anna Knight.

In June, it was revealed Bobby would be departing from the show later this year, and the actor recently spoke publicly about what lies ahead of him once he waves goodbye to Albert Square.

At the National Film Awards, where he won a prize for his work on the new Paramount+ series Curfew, Bobby admitted that his next steps are uncertain.

He told OK! Magazine: "I don't know, I guess that's how it really goes and how it works in this industry. You never really know what's next until you go for it.

"But yeah, I'd like to play a variety of different roles so I can work out what I like, what I'm good at and what I need to work on."

While EastEnders has confirmed Bobby’s upcoming exit, soap bosses had been keen to continue working with the actor. A spokesperson for the soap previously said: "We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future."

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads.

READ MORE: Huawei smart watch with battery life that 'lasts a week' drops below £15

READ MORE: Hair loss sufferer says 'hairdresser couldn't believe' growth with beauty bundle