EastEnders is to recast the role of Johnny Carter, the BBC has said.
The son of Queen Vic landlord Mick (played by Danny Dyer) and wife Linda (Kellie Bright) was originally portrayed by Sam Strike from December 2013 until the following year.
The character was last seen on screen departing Albert Square to go travelling abroad with his boyfriend.
"We can confirm the recasting of Johnny Carter. There is no further announcement to make at this time," a BBC spokeswoman told the Press Association.
The casting process for the fan favourite originally described as "a 19-year-old 'mummy's boy' ... who's happy to let the rest of his family be the centre of attention" is already under way.
An insider told the Radio Times: "The Carter family quickly became one of EastEnders' most iconic families and there are lots of stories planned for them, but it felt it would be a shame if those stories had to be told without Johnny's involvement."
Essex-born Strike and Londoner Dyer won plaudits for their depiction of the moving scene which saw Johnny come out to his father.
The revelation later earned a "spectacular scene" nomination at the British Soap Awards.
Other notable storylines for Mick and Linda's youngest child included the friendship with Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and a strained liaison with Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid).
After leaving the BBC One soap, 22-year-old Strike appeared in crime drama Silent Witness.
He will next be seen in Leatherface, the prequel of horror classic, Texas Chainsaw Massacre.