‘Proud’ EastEnders star Matthew James Bailey reveals most powerful aspect of Craig’s exit

Matthew James Bailey confirms his EastEnders exit (Picture: BBC / Metro) Craig Ingram (Matthew James Bailey) has met a shocking end in EastEnders after terrified Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) clobbered him over the head with a candlestick. The disgraced detective had been grooming teen Amy, who he encountered earlier this year when investigating Joel Marshall’s (Max Murray) attack. When Amy admitted that she was to blame for the assault, Craig kept shtum – not because he cared but rather because he knew this information could be used to manipulate unsuspecting Amy, who believed she’d fallen in love with him. After losing his job over gross misconduct, Craig had Amy access her inheritance early and they subsequently left the Square, hiding out in a grotty bedside awaiting passage out of London. But when his account was frozen, Craig lashed out at Amy, hitting her across the face. The walls began to close in and, after a showdown with Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky), Craig’s time ran out as terrified Amy attempted to flee his evil grip. Left with little choice, Amy grabbed a candlestick and hit him over the head. In subsequent scenes, she came to realise that he was dead. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This story twist brings to an end Matthew James Bailey’s time in Walford and I thought it only fitting to catch up with Matthew, who won a legion of fans for playing loveable rogue Ethan Williams in Hollyoaks, to exclusively talk about his time in the Square, why he’s happy to see the back of Creepy Craig, what’s next for him and if a Hollyoaks return could ever be on the cards… Hi Matthew! Craig unravelled in those final scenes with Amy. This was the beginning of the end for him, wasn’t it? I think what you see in those scenes is the violent tendencies that Craig has. Up until this point, you’ve seen the manipulation and the grooming and the lying, but now that physically manifests itself in the form of him hitting her, which is absolutely abhorrent. It’s horrible and it’s so hard to watch and so difficult to play. It’s just hell, I imagine, for Amy. I think she finally starts to realise that she’s in serious danger here. You saw that come out in those scenes – they’re really hard-hitting scenes that I’m sure a lot of people will relate to. What was it like to film the scenes where Craig comes face-to-face with Sean Slater? Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. To work with someone like Rob [Kazinsky] is incredible. He’s such an amazing actor and such a generous actor as well. These are people I grew up watching on-screen and to share a screen with them is such an incredible and surreal experience. To be a part of British television history with EastEnders – it’s an icon! Craig’s final scenes saw him become violent towards Amy(Picture: BBC) It’s a giant in the world of British television. To be a small part of that and to tell such an amazing story and to work with incredible people like Rob, Ellie [Dadd] and Scott [Maslen], it’s such a privilege and honour to share the screen with them. Rob is an incredible actor, and I think the fans are going to be so happy and pleased when they see Sean Slater return and give Craig a taste of his own medicine. How did you feel about the end of Craig’s storyline? I think it was about time that Craig got caught out for his crimes. He’s a criminal. What he’s doing is illegal. These people think they’re invincible and untouchable, but they’re not. They will always get the comeuppance that they deserve, and to have Sean be a part of that and have Amy find her voice and find her courage and bravery is so powerful. I feel incredibly honoured to help Ellie transition Amy’s character. She’s going to have such a bright future ahead of her and such an amazing career in front of her. So, to take Amy’s character to the next level and to this new phase of life is such a privilege. Are you proud that your time on EastEnders was tied to such an important storyline? I’m so proud to be a part of this storyline and raise awareness, and working with Barnado’s and Violence Against Women to stop it. We’re working with incredible charities to make sure this story is told sensitively and accurately. The whole message is to tell people that manipulation comes in all forms and all shapes and sizes. Whether you think it’s love or not, there are people out there who are willing to listen, and hopefully what we can do is get people to speak up and talk about it, and if they’re scared or if they’re worried about what might happen, that there are people out there who are willing to listen and will help you. EastEnders worked with Barnardo’s and Violence Against Women on the story (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron) That is ultimately what EastEnders and soap does. It’s such an amazing medium where it can tell these hard-hitting stories and reach into the hearts of the British public and open their eyes to some things that they haven’t thought about, or maybe something that they actually relate to. A lot of people suffer in silence because they don’t know where to turn or who to talk to. It’s letting people know that there are ears out there to listen. This needs to stop. It’s an issue that is ongoing, and it happens from seemingly the most charming human beings on the planet, and people in positions of power. It needs to change and we need to talk about it more. What’s next for you? I’m taking a bit of a break! It was such a hard and horrible character to play, so it’s been nice to have some downtime and not really do much, especially coming up to the Christmas season. I’ve got a film coming up in February, which is incredible. I’m very honoured to be a part of that. It’s a very exciting piece. All I can say right now is that it’s a World War II piece with some incredibly exciting people and it’s all being shot in Holland, so that will be a really fun project to be part of. And again, just to be part of an amazing story, and it’s also a true story. I’m very excited for that. I was thinking earlier that maybe I’ll just dart around from soap to soap now and just see how many characters I can play [laughs], even if it’s a supporting artist in the background, I’ll just pop my head in the frame and see what happens! I think someone said it was called CHEE? Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, EastEnders and Emmerdale. Incredible. I think maybe I’ll join that group! But I feel so honoured and privileged to be part of two iconic British soaps, both EastEnders and Hollyoaks. It’s such an honour and I’m so grateful to be able to do the job I do. It’s such a blessing. I’m so grateful every single day that I get to wake up and do a job that I love and tell amazing stories. All I’ve ever wanted to do as an actor is make people feel something, and if I can make someone feel joy and happiness with a character like Ethan and let them escape their lives for a brief moment, and then also make them feel hatred or rage and anger against something that is happening in the world [via Craig], then I’m so honoured to be able to do that and make people feel every emotion under the sun. It’s so important what we do and what soaps do, and I’m so honoured to that medium because it’s given me everything and I want to give everything back to the world of soap as well, because I feel like it’s such an underrated form of art that flies under the radar sometimes. You mentioned Ethan – how does it make you feel that even now the fans still want him to return to Hollyoaks? It’s so amazing. I still wake up and I can’t believe that’s my life. These fans have given me everything. Ethan was such an important part of my life. I was struggling mentally before Ethan, so to be able to get a character like that and bring him to life in a way. Matthew is best known for playing Ethan in Hollyoaks (Picture: Lime Pictures) The feedback I got was so beautiful – like, “You got me through my day today,” or “You made me smile today and I didn’t think I could smile today.” That’s amazing. Ethan is someone that I’d love to revisit in the future. I’d never say no to returning as Ethan. It would be an absolute honour. I’d love to do it and bring smiles back to people. And I still don’t think his story is finished, to be honest with you. My next question was going to be if you’d ever like to return as Ethan if the opportunity arose. I’d say yes in a heartbeat. I’d never say no to returning there and closing out that story. There are a lot of returns happening. Never say never is what I will say! Do you have a final message for EastEnders fans? Thank you so much for watching and listening and welcoming me into that family. I know Craig has not been the most likeable character, but it’s been such an honour to bring this storyline to life and to tell such an important story. I’m very happy to say goodbye to Craig, as I’m sure most of the British public are as well! He is not a nice human being. Matthew thanked EastEnders fans for watching (Picture: BBC) But if I could make you feel something or if I’ve touched the hearts of people who are actually suffering through this, then what I want to say is that I’m sorry and there are people out there who are willing to listen and help, so please go and seek help if that has touched on or triggered something in you. If you are suffering, please don’t do it in silence. The people around you will support you. There are amazing charities like Barnardo’s and Stop Violence Against Women. There are people who will help you, so if you do feel like you’re suffering, then please speak up and I promise you there will be help and it will get better. But ultimately, goodbye, Creepy Craig. I will not miss you! Deals of the Day Cold mornings are coming and this is the dressing gown I want to live in We're adding this discounted NEOM gift set straight to basket Want an LED face mask for less? This Black Friday deal could save you hundreds This teeth whitening sale could save you up to 64% before Black Friday QVC shoppers can save £159 on Elemis' biggest beauty gift set of the year 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. Arrow MORE: Amy’s fate after dead Craig twist as EastEnders spoilers reveal what happens next Arrow MORE: Craig’s fate after he’s left to die by Amy as EastEnders spoilers reveal what happens next Arrow MORE: EastEnders star Matthew James-Bailey’s ‘scandalous’ new role is worlds away from evil Craig The Soaps Newsletter – Daily All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning.