EastEnders is saying goodbye to actors Roger Sloman and Lin Blakley, who play Les and Pam Coker in the long-running BBC soap.

The pair, who play the husband and wife of a family-run funeral business, have come to the end of their contracts.

A BBC spokesman said: “We can confirm that Roger and Lin will be leaving EastEnders later this year. They have been a pleasure to work with and we wish them all the best for the future.”

Pam Coker (Lin Blakley) and Les Coker (Roger Sloman) in EastEnders (Jack Barnes/BBC)
Pam Coker (Lin Blakley) and Les Coker (Roger Sloman) in EastEnders (Jack Barnes/BBC)

In the soap, the Cokers are grieving for their grandson Paul (Jonny Labey) whose tragic death was the result of a homophobic attack. It appears EastEnders bosses felt the pair had run their course.

An insider said: “Pam and Les have been a big part of the show over the past few months and, with their current storyline, bosses felt that it was to the right time for their characters to leave the Square. There is still plenty more drama to come from the Cokers before they leave Walford.”

Speculation among fans has now turned to how the couple will make their exit.

Jonny Labey as Paul Coker (BBC)
Jonny Labey as Paul Coker (BBC)

Recently, fans watched as Les suffered a major health scare with his heart. Pam and Les’s marriage has been under great strain ever since she found out about his cross-dressing.

The situation was made worse when villainous Aunt Babe (Annette Badland) blackmailed them with the threat of exposing the secret.