All good things must come to an end, as another iconic EastEnders character departs Walford.
They might need to install a revolving door in the Queen Vic, with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie Moon (Shane Ritchie) all set to depart the BBC soap later this year.
Now legendary serial killer Gray Atkins is the latest to bow out from Albert Square. But knowing the sinister solicitor, he won’t go quietly.
Actor Toby-Alexander Smith seemed to confirm his character’s explosive exit with an instagram post of a selfie from his dressing room after shooting his final scenes in the show, with the caption ‘Well Walford, it’s been wild… again.’
During his last stint on Albert Square back in 2019, the bloodthirsty killer claimed three victims including his abused wife Chantelle Atkins (Jessica Plummer), Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White), who grew suspicious of his murderous activities, and Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami), the man who stood in the way of Gray’s twisted obsession with Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty).
Fortunately, Gray’s second wife Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) saw the monster’s true colours before it was too late and was able to gather the evidence to get Gray put behind bars. That’s where he’s been rotting all ths time while Chelsea has been raising their son , Jordan (Izaiah Hagan-Brown)…
… unti now.
Even from inside a prison cell, Gray managed to manipulate Chelsea from afar thanks to his grandmother Sheila Atkins (Sheila Ruskin). After Jordan suffered life-changing injuries from a hit-and-run, Chelsea was so overwhelmed that she had no choice but to accept assistance from Sheila… who reported back to Gray.
Unfortunately, Sheila was not the not the only link to Albert Square that Gray had at his disposal.
The killer’s newest fellow jailbird is none other than Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), who is currently serving an eight-month sentence for unknowingly knocking down Gray’s son while driving over the limit.
Obviously Ian was less than thrilled about this development.
Terrified, Ian agreed to organise a visit with Chelsea for Gray in return for his protection.
This went about as well as expected, with Chelsea horrified to be reunited with her ex-hubby from Hell… but not as horrified as she was to discoverGray’s twisted plan to have Sheila flee the country with Jordan.
When the plot was foiled thanks to Denise (Diane Parish) and Kim (Tameka Empson), Gray wrongly blamed Ian and threatened him with a bladed weapon.
A struggle ensued, ended with Gray getting stabbed.
It seemed that the story was all tied up when Chelsea visited Gray in hospital, spitting that he was a bully and revealing that she was afraid of him no longer.
It certainly looks like the end for Gray… if it wasn’t for that New Year’s Day flashforward. We know he’s already free again by January 1st. So when actor Toby Alexander-Smith teases ‘it’s been wild’, maybe the best is yet to come…
The fans are certainly hoping so, as Toby’s comment section was flooded with messages of praise for his performance and love for Gray.
‘Personally wish he would come back for good!’ wrote one fan.
‘One of the very best ‘Evil ‘ characters.’ Another posted. ‘Loved seeing you on screen again hope more stories to come..’
‘You were absolutely brilliant.’ Insisted another viewer. ‘Maybe they could come up with another story to bring you back again cause you’re such a good bad guy honestly you’re a great actor. Whatever you do next have lots of fun.’
