EastEnders bosses face legal action after baby actor is axed from soap 'to save costs'

Gabriel Miller Williams was dropped from the BBC soap after playing the part of Tanya Branning's son for nine months since he was just six weeks old.

His mother Claire Miller Williams, 39, claims she was not  told the 10-month-old tot had been sacked and only found out when a taxi failed to pick him up.

Angry: Claire Miller-Williams claims son Gabriel was axed from Eastenders without warning

She told The Mirror newspaper: 'It's a disgusting way to treat people. We still haven't had a call explaining why he was sacked. I've sent his contract to solicitors to investigate legal action.'

She says Gabriel was given a new six-month contract in June but was replaced by the child of a BBC employee.

A BBC spokesman rejected the claim that the baby had been sacked, stating that the mother was informed by the agent on Monday.

The spokesman said: 'Furthermore, the suggestion that the BBC provided Claire Williams with a six month contract is also inaccurate since children are provided with licenses rather than contracts to work.'

The fare is thought to be around £300-a-day, but the BBC refused to confirm this -only saying they use 'preferred suppliers to ensure rates are competitive.'

Child star: Gabriel on screen with Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner)

The BBC spokesman added: 'It is not unusual for babies to be recast several times in continuing drama series such as EastEnders.

'In this instance the decision to recast at this time was in part due to Gabriel's travelling costs. 

'As the BBC strives to deliver value for money across all its productions, travel costs are a factor that must be considered.'