TIFFANY TO QUIT ALBERT SQUARE; I want to be singer she tells stunned TV bosses.
Eastenders star Martine McCutch-eon is to quit the soap, it was revealed last night.BBC bosses are reeling at her shock decision, which follows a string of high-profile departures.
The whole Jackson family apart from Patsy Palmer (Bianca) is leaving - plus Sid Owen (Ricky Butcher), Deepak Verma (Sanjay), Paul Bradley (Nigel) and `Paul Nicholls (Joe Wicks).
Sexy Martine, who plays barmaid Tiffany, wants to concentrate on other roles and develop a singing career.
My sources tell me she is already being linked to big-budget dramas for the BBC and ITV next year.
Martine, 21, has also had meetings with record company Warner Bros over a possible album deal.
The star dropped her bombshell at a meeting with producer Jane Harris.
She wants out before next August, but she may leave as early as April if scriptwriters come up with a fitting exit in time.
A pal told me last night:""Martine is determined to prove she is more than just a soap star. She can sing extremely well and has developed brilliantly as an actress in her four years on the show.
"She wants to spread her wings and feels now is the time.""
But the stunning star's decision will shock millions of EastEnders fans. She was voted sexiest soap star by one mag and is rated one of the biggest names on TV.
But it's unlikely Tiffany will be killed off. Producers will keep their fingers crossed that they can lure Martine back in the future."
She became known as Sexy Tiff the moment she wiggled her way into Albert Square as Bianca Jackson's flirty pal.
And when she started work at the Queen Vic, the fans took her to their hearts. They have seen her grow from a selfish single girl to a concerned mum in the space of a few months.
In May, Martine told how she felt sorry for Tiff, having to cope with the stress of a two-month-old baby while trying to win back hardman Grant from Lorraine Wicks.
Martine said: "She's changed completely since the birth. She used to be hard and selfish, only interested in men and clothes, being free and having a wild time. Now all she wants is to settle down.""
Martine's own private life has also showed signs of increasing maturity. In the past year she has learnt to be more independent than ever.
She dumped her fiance, 28-year-old DJ Gareth Cook last year, and has just moved into a swanky West London flat.
And she is still single - despite being linked in recent months with her 18-year-old co-star Paul Nicholls, singer Mick Hucknall and Posh Spice's ex-boyfriend Stuart Bilton.
Last night, Martine's agent told The Mirror she had not made the decision to quit EastEnders. But a source close to the actress insisted: "The decision has been made. She wants out."
As many as 12 new characters could arrive in the soap over the next few months as the producers bring in fresh blood.
An insider said: "They are planning a new barmaid, a stallholder and a whole new family to take over the Jacksons' house."
Lippy Liam nips back at George
Liam Gallagher has hit back at Beatle George Harrison for criticising Oasis.
George said Noel's music was forgettable and that he could do without Liam - "the silly one".
But Liam told MTV news last night: "If that's his personal opinion fair enough, you now what I mean.
"I still love the Beatles and I still love George Harrison as a songwriter but as a person he's a f***ing nipple.
"And if I ever meet him I'll f***ing tell him. And if you're watching, George - you're a nipple."
Nick's got a Lotto bottle
Axed Coronation Street star Nick Cochrane must be seriously worried about his prospects after the soap - he's banking on winning the Nat-ional Lottery.
The actor - Andy McDonald in the show - told a pal: "I just know that I'm going to win the Lottery very soon. It's a dead certainty.
"I'm honestly convinced that I'm going to be the first TV star to crack it.
"I leave the Street at the end of October but hopefully by the end of the year I'll have a few million in the bank."
Young Starr's drum role..
Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey has been signed up to play drums with ex-Waterboys star Mike Scott.
Zak joined Mike's new band this week and will play on the singer's UK tour which kicks off in Sheffield on October 10.
BRITISH boxing hero Frank Bruno isn't such a tough guy anymore.
At Thursday's Earls Court Oasis gig he had an escort of four policemen. He could have done with those guys in the ring as well at times.
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| Author: | Quinn, Thomas; Wright, Matthew |
|---|---|
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | Sep 27, 1997 |
| Words: | 788 |
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