Massacre in Albert Square

As many as 14 EastEnders characters could be axed from the series, according to reports.

15:20 27 September 2004

As many as 14 EastEnders characters could be axed from the series, according to reports.

Albert Square favourites such as Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) and Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham) could both be on their way out - despite them both appearing in the soap's very first episode.

But there could be good news too, as the Daily Mirror claims old favourites like Bianca Butcher (Patsy Palmer) and Kathy Mitchell (Gillian Taylforth) could be back.

"No one knows when the axe will fall or on whom," a soap source told the paper.

"Everyone's feeling extremely vulnerable and paranoid that they're about to get the chop. The atmosphere's very tense," they added.

Those on the hatchet shortlist are thought to include Ronny (Ray Panthaki), Adi (Ameet Chana) Ash (Raji James) and Kareena (Pooja Shah) Ferreira.

Half-brother Tariq Larousi (Nabil Elouahabi) and associated character Sasha Perkins (Jemma Walker) could also be on their way out of Walford.

Derek Harkinson (Ian Lavender), gangster Andy Hunter (Michael Higgs) and Phil Mitchell's wife Kate (Jill Halfpenny) are also thought to have their positions under threat. Rick "Minty" Peterson (Cliff Parisi), Jane Collins (Laurie Brett) and Nana Moon (Hilda Braid) have also been fingered for the chop.

But EastEnders, which has recently had producer Louise Berridge removed - with Kathleen Hutchison joining from Holby City in a fortnight - has not confirmed any of the rumours.

"No final decisions have yet been made," a spokesperson told the Mirror.