EastEnders fans in disbelief after 'underused' character's UNEXPECTED exit

The Albert Square sign on the set of EastEnders
An EastEnders resident made an unexpected exit from Walford. (Image credit: BBC)

EastEnders fans were gutted after Finlay Baker (Ashley Byam) made a sudden and unexpected exit from the Square during last night's episode (Wednesday, June 28).

Finlay, who arrived in Walford only a year ago, made an enemy of the Panesars after Vinny Panesar's (Shiv Jalota) unsuccessful revenge plan on Eve Unwin (Heather Peace).

After overhearing at the Vic that Eve would be driving Finlay's sports car to Brighton, Vinny broke into the garage and cut the brakes.

Luckily for Eve, Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) noticed her son's suspicious behaviour and put a stop to Vinny's murderous scheme to save her secret lover.

Finlay soon realised that the necklace found at the scene of the crime belonged to Vinny and was confused as to why Vinny would want to hurt him.

Finlay Baker offers a helping hand to Honey Mitchell

Finlay Baker made a surprise exit from Walford after one year. (Image credit: BBC)

Worried that their secret would get out, Suki set Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) to threaten Finlay into keeping quiet.

Despite Ravi's warnings, a defiant Finlay still threatened Vinny that he would go to the police after Vinny goaded him at his stall. 

And it wasn't long before Ravi took serious action and set some thugs to trash Finlay's stall in revenge.

As Finlay furiously confronted Suki, he discovered that Eve was the intended target and set out to tell Eve.

However, Suki and Ravi put an abrupt end to his plan and threatened to hurt his brother, Felix if he didn't leave Walford for good.

Finlay Baker's food stall is trashed as he speaks to Whitney Dean and Bernie Taylor in the market.

Ravi Gulati trashed Finlay's stall as a warning to keep him quiet. (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Finlay decided to use the situation to his advantage and demanded money from Suki in exchange for leaving the Square.

He threatened to expose their secret to Eve if Suki didn't give in to his demands and she eventually caved in and handed him over the cash.

Finlay later enjoyed a final drink at the Vic with his family, telling them that he was going to Dublin after he found an investor in his sauce business.

He then bid an emotional farewell to his loved ones and drove away in his late dad's old car.

Fans had serious problems with Finlay's abrupt exit and voiced their disappointment on Twitter...

EastEnders continues tonight at 7:30pm on BBC One.

Grace Morris
Staff Writer

Grace is a digital writer with WhatToWatch.com, where she writes series guides, recaps and features for must-watch shows and delivers all the latest soap news and reactions. She graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2020 with a degree in Writing and Film Studies, which only made her love for creative writing, film and TV grow stronger.

You'll usually find her watching the drama unfold in the latest reality series or much-loved UK soaps (usually with chocolate by her side!). She's an expert in EastEnders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and everything reality-related from Selling Sunset and Married At First Sight UK to 90 Day Fiancé UK. Plus Netflix megahit Virgin River!

Grace also likes to explore new places with her friends and family and, of course, watch and read about the latest films and TV series.