An EastEnders star has hit out at their “disappointing” exit from the soap ahead of its 40th anniversary.

The BBC series is celebrating its birthday later this month, with the return of old favourites and an historic interactive episode that’ll see viewers able to influence the storyline.

One actor who won’t be returning is Michael Greco, who made his debut as the memorable Beppe di Marco in 1998 and left in 2002.

Greco has reflected on his exit from the soap, which was rather undramatic: after hearing his mother had suffered a heart attack, he sold his club, E20, to Sharon (Letitia Dean), and called his girlfriend Lynne [Elaine Lordan] he was leaving Walford to move back to Leicester.

The actor has admitted this was a “disappointing” end for the character – and suggested there were outside forces that prevented him from having a bigger exit

“There were circumstances that prevented me from having a bigger send off,” he told FruitySlots.com, adding: “I won’t go into them as it’s water under the bridge.”

He continued: “But I just left in a cab, didn’t I? I said goodbye to Lynne in the cafe and then had a packet of crisps and drove to Leicester. “

Greco also said that he has never been approached to reprise the role of Beppe in the 23 years since he left.

“I left over 20 years ago and there hasn’t been a day they’ve contacted my agent to ask me to come back,” he said.

“That’s fine. I don’t have any ties to any of the characters. There’s no link to bring me back. If the writers wanted you back they would create something.”

Greco said that, if he wasn’t asked to return for the soap’s 40th anniversary, then he doesn’t think “it ever will” happen.

One star who has returned for the celebratory episodes is Ross Kemp, who is back on screens as Grant Mitchell after nine years.

The 60-year-old first made his debut in 1990 and has returned to the soap a number of times over the past 35 years.