EastEnders characters Sam James and Ava Hartman will both be leaving the soap later this year, Digital Spy can exclusively reveal.

The Walford couple, played by Cornell S John and Clare Perkins, will bow out on screen as the Hartman family's ongoing transplant storyline reaches its natural conclusion.

Recent episodes of the BBC One show have seen Sam tell his loved ones that he is seriously ill and urgently needs a kidney transplant.

Viewers will soon see his son Dexter make the life-changing decision to help out by donating a kidney.

Digital Spy understands that the story always had a definitive ending planned which would lead to the departures of Sam and Ava.

An EastEnders insider revealed: "The conclusion of the Sam storyline was planned many months ago. Since taking over last month, new executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins is continuing the story as it was originally mapped out."

Dexter, played by Khali Best, will be staying in the programme despite the departures of his on-screen parents.

Perkins joined EastEnders in September last year and appeared on screen from November, when her character was introduced as Cora Cross's long-lost daughter.

The casting of Cornell S John as Sam was confirmed in April and his first scenes aired a month later.

Earlier today, it was confirmed that the characters of AJ Ahmed, Carl White, Kirsty Branning and Poppy Meadow will also be leaving EastEnders.

Digital Spy Soap Scoop video - press play below to watch Amie Parker-Williams reveal gossip on Nick's recovery in Coronation Street, more worry for Ronnie in EastEnders, a sad marriage crisis in Emmerdale and big dramas for Ste in Hollyoaks.

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