Emmerdale star Darcy Gray, who plays Marcus Dean in the ITV soap, has decided to quit the village.
The actor joined the soap last year but has now already filmed his last scenes and will be leaving the Dales later this month.
"Marcus's time in the village came to a natural end. Darcy is keen to spread his wings but the door has been left open," a TV source told The Sun.
Marcus was introduced as notorious murdering rapist Pierce Harris' long-lost son and his arrival rocked victim Rhona Gorskirk, who was married to and raped by the evil village resident.
Rhona encouraged Marcus to stay in the village after realising he was nothing like her ex-husband.
Marcus has recently been involved in a relationship with Ethan Anderson but the couple were rocked when Ethan's boss Greg sexually harassed Marcus.
Ethan's sister Naomi tried to help stop the cunning boss in his tracks but the plan backfired resulting in Marcus arrested for assault.
Ethan was then forced to allow his boss to get away with his behaviour to stop his boyfriend from going to prison.
The couple struggled to move past the incident and split in heartbreaking scenes.
Although there was hope the couple would reunite, Marcus' impending exit suggests Ethan will be unable to see past the incident.
Emmerdale fans were left divided over Marcus and Ethan's heartbreak as some wondered whether time apart was the best thing for the couple.
One wrote: "I hope Ethan and Marcus don’t break up #emmerdale," while another disagreed: "Marcus & Ethan definitely need some time apart. Their relationship is so toxic right now. #Emmerdale." (sic)
Someone else said: "Marcus is such a wasted character, whith his dad and history of the family he could have some really interesting storylines, instead he’s just a bit wet #emmerdale."
