Another major EastEnders exit as key star set to leave after four years

| Deputy Soaps Editor Published August 15, 2026 6:41pm Updated August 15, 2026 6:41pm Ravi star Aaron Thiara is set to exit EastEnders (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron) EastEnders star Aaron Thiara is set to wave goodbye to Albert Square after four years. The actor, 33, has played fan-favourite Ravi Gulati on the BBC One soap since 2022. Ravi was first introduced to viewers as an inmate who Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) crossed paths with while in prison. It’s safe to say he made quite the impression on viewers and not long after he was made a regular on the show, arriving in Walford to start afresh after his release. In the years since, Ravi has become a pivotal part of the Square and featured in numerous key storylines, from being revealed as the secret son of Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) to later killing both Nish and abusive adoptive father Ranveer. The introduction of ex Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) and daughter Avani (Aaliyah James) provided for plenty of great material over the years, as did his romance with Denise Fox (Diane Parish). Ravi’s romance with Priya proved popular with viewers (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Earlier this year, Ravi was sectioned amid a struggle with his mental health, with star Aaron delivering a powerhouse performance throughout. He has since returned to the Square, with Ravi making a bid to win back Priya, who he pops the question to next week But it seems his time in Walford is set to come to an end. According to The Sun, star Aaron will be leaving at the end of the year. ‘Aaron has been at the centre of the some of the soaps biggest storylines since his arrival as bad-boy Ravi back in 2022,’ a source told the publication. Ravi has become a true staple of the Square (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron) ‘He’s an incredibly popular member of the cast and the fans love him. ‘He’s decided to focus on new projects, but will stay on set until the end of the year to see out some juicy storylines his character has in store.’ Metro has reached out to EastEnders for comment. The question is: if Ravi truly is leaving EastEnders, just what will ultimately lead to his exit? In recent scenes, he’s been trying to uncover who it is that Priya has been having an affair with – but will he succeed? Deals of the Day Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. The Soaps Newsletter – Daily All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning.