Waning Moons

Jake and Danny Moon are facing the boot because TV bosses have decided there are too many gangsters in Albert Square.

13:30 16 March 2005

Jake and Danny Moon are facing the boot because TV bosses have decided there are too many gangsters in Albert Square.

Alfie's wideboy cousins have proved a huge hit with EastEnders viewers since they first arrived in Walford at Christmas.

But with the arrival of arch-gangster Johnny, BBC executives are trying to stop the soap turning into something akin to Reservoir Dogs, the Daily Mirror reports.

"Both Joel Beckett [Jake] and Jake Maskall [Danny] have brought much talent and energy. This decision is no reflection on them," an insider told the newspaper.

The double departure follows the axing of Dirty Den after actor Leslie Grantham was caught with his pants down.

However, returning rogue Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, will soon fill his shoes when he returns from life on the run.