EastEnders Rocky exit ‘sealed’ – Christmas Day death, Kathy murder twist and Jo reunion
EastEnders star Brian Conley has already filmed his final scenes as Rocky Cotton and now Daily Star has rounded up the ways the character could exit the BBC soap
EastEnders star Brian Conley announced his exit from the BBC soap in September.
The actor, 62, has played Rocky Cotton since 2021 but made the decision to leave “for many reasons”. It was originally reported that he’d “demanded to be written out of the soap following a fiery clash with BBC bosses”, however Brian immediately shut down the claims.
Rocky first arrived in the Square as a conman hoping to scam Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) out of her life savings, but has since won over the hearts of viewers thanks to his relationship and marriage to Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth).
Their relationship recently hit the rocks after Kathy learned Rocky was responsible for the café fire. And while many hoped for a reunion, fans know there is no future for the couple due to Rocky’s pending exit. Here, Daily Star has rounded up all the ways Rocky could leave Albert Square, from a death on Christmas Day to reuniting with a former flame.
Kathy murder twist
One possibility is that Kathy could end up murdering Rocky. Kathy was devastated after learning her husband was responsible for the fire that almost claimed the lives of her two grandchildren, Peter (Thomas Law) and Bobby (Clay Milner Russel).
Now, Daily Star has quizzed one of the world’s most popular artificially intelligent “creative” tools Bard AI to see if Kathy could kill Rocky. The program responded: “One possibility is that Kathy could kill Rocky in a fit of rage. She has been very angry with him for keeping secrets from her, and she could easily snap.
It continued: “Another possibility is that Kathy could kill Rocky in a more premeditated way. She could be planning to kill him in order to protect herself or someone else.”
Jo reunion
Earlier this year, viewers learned that Rocky was still married to his wife Jo (Vicki Michelle). Rocky was then furious when Jo unexpectedly showed up at the registry office on the day he was marrying Kathy.
She dropped the bombshell that they were still legally married and he could be sent to prison for bigamy. Jo revealed she never signed the divorce papers and that the decree absolute that Rocky gave to the registry office was a fraudulent document.
After major showdown in The Vic, Jo demanded £50,000 to keep quiet or she would report Rocky to the police. His scheming ex-wife then left Albert Square after pocketing Kathy’s hard earned savings. But this may not be the last we’ve seen of Jo. In light of recent events, Rocky could turn to his ex for comfort after being thrown out by Kathy.
Bard AI said: “It is possible that Rocky could get back together with Jo Cotton on EastEnders. Rocky’s recent actions and the tension between him and Kathy could lead him to seek comfort and familiarity in Jo.”
Christmas Day death
In February, the BBC soap aired a flashforward scene which showed an unidentified male dead in The Queen Vic. Stood around the body were six of Walford’s matriarchs, Sharon Watts, Denise Fox, Stacey Slater, Kathy Beale, Linda Carter and Suki Panesar.
BBC bosses recently teased the seven male victims who could be bumped off this festive season, with Rocky high on the list of contenders. Fans have supported this theory, with one writing: “Its got to be Rocky that’s killed Christmas day right!?”
A second added: “Keanu or Rocky are defo the dead body at Christmas”. Another speculated: “So it’s between this 7 who dies at Christmas I think rocky is dying as we know he’s leaving.”
Dotty reunion
In December 2022, Rocky’s niece Dotty Cotton (Milly Zero) made a dramatic exit from the Square after finding out Dot Cotton (June Brown) left her home to Sonia instead of her.
She planned to let Dot’s home go up in flames as she doused the kitchen in petrol but was luckily talked down by Rocky. With the £10,000 she received from Dot’s will, Dotty left Walford in a taxi.
It’s unknown where she went, but with Rocky having few friends left in Walford, he could leave and reunite with his niece. Bard AI confirmed the theory, writing: “It is possible that Rocky could leave Walford to be with Dotty on EastEnders.”
There have been several hints that he might be considering this, such as when he expressed his desire to start afresh. Additionally, the emotional turmoil Dotty experienced before she left could make her more open to the prospect of reuniting with her uncle.
