EastEnders’ Michelle Ryan breaks her silence on Zoe Slater being killed off – and truth about behind the scenes ‘row’

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. EastEnders star Michelle Ryan has broken her silence on Zoe Slater being killed off Credit: Getty Michelle made an epic return to EastEnders last year after originally joining the soap in the 2000s Credit: BBC 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. Sign up for the Eastenders newsletter Thank you! The soap star has since admitted that this was always what she had planned. Speaking with Radio 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. She has played the daughter of Kat Slater since 2000 Credit: BBC The actress pictured on set back in 2000 Credit: BBC “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. Most read in TV “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. 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. Comment now