Charlie Brooks to quit EastEnders – Daily TV round-up

'EastEnders' star Charlie Brooks is quitting the BBC soap.

It will be the third time that the actress, who has played conniving Janine Butcher since 1999, has left the show.

“I decided a while ago it was time for me to leave Janine behind,” said the former 'I'm A Celebrity.. Get Me Out Of Here' winner.

But she added that it may not be the end of Janine as a character in the show, and that she may not be killed off.

[Cassidy back as EastEnders' Sonia]

“Janine still has a way to go yet and is never far from Walford,” she said. “It may be more see you later than goodbye.”

Brooks also said that her decision came before she found out that the show was being taken over by new executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins.

“When I found out he was returning I was gutted. I know how fantastic he is and that he will be putting the show back to its rightful place,” she said.

Brooks left the show for the first time in 2004, returned again in 2008, but then took a break to appear on 'I'm A Celebrity' in 2012.

She came back to the show in April this year, gearing up an explosive storyline with Michael Moon,  and will now leave in 2014. [Daily Mirror]

Also in today's press

The BBC is under pressure to issue an apology to Prince Harry following a joke on last week's 'Have I Got News For You'. Commenting on the name of Prince Harry's friend Hugh van Cutsem, one of Prince George's godparents, host Jo Brand said: “I presume that’s a nickname as in Hugh van cuts ‘em and Harry then snorts ‘em.” In response, she said: “I didn’t write it. I read it out from the autocue. I thought it was funny. I don’t really understand what the fuss is about. I am not going to apologise. I didn’t write it but I did say it so I am culpable in some way.” [Daily Telegraph]

Simon Cowell has sent out a stark message to this year's 'X Factor' contestants. Taking to his Twitter account, he said: “On the UK X Factor, I see three acts who will go on to sell records. A couple more if they dig deep can do the same.” [Daily Mirror]

'Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model' has been axed by Sky Living. The model-search show aired its ninth series earlier this year. [Digital Spy]