EastEnders executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins has revealed the door is being left open for Sam Strike to return to the show any time he wants.

The boss of the BBC show admitted to Digital Spy that he had been saddened by Sam’s decision to leave the show after a year playing Mick and Linda Carter’s son Johnny, but is hopeful he will make a comeback in the future.

Dominic said: “You have to respect it. I was sad he wanted to go because there was more that we wanted to do with Johnny next year, but it happens and the door is wide open.

Sam Strike bids goodbye to mum Linda in EastEnders
Johnny Carter bids goodbye to mum Linda in EastEnders (BBC)

“We’ve recorded a scene with Johnny that airs on Christmas Day because he’s still part of the Carters and you always leave the door open. I hope the Carters are going to be in the show for a really long time, so who knows?

“Johnny was also loosely based on me as a kid, so I was doubly gutted!”

Sam announced his departure in November.

But the exec producer insisted that while he still had more plans for the character of Johnny, he does not intend to recast another actor in the role, as often happens in soap.

Dominic said: “I’d hope that Sam would come back. We only recast if we really think the audience would buy it and there’s an important reason to do it.

Johnny Carter poses for a farewell selfie with his family
Johnny Carter poses for a farewell selfie with his family (BBC)

“EastEnders has always recast. Mark Fowler was a recast and there’s always been recasts in all soaps, but you’ve got to be careful. You’ve got to leave enough time and make sure the actor is convincing.

“There’s also a lot of Carter stories at the moment. I miss Johnny, but I don’t need to have him there so I wouldn’t want to. You always hope that Sam would want to come back, so you don’t want to close that door.”