EastEnders: Mickey and Keith bid Albert Square goodbye as they leave for new lives

Mickey and step-dad Keith say emotional farewells in the Queen Vic before leaving for their new lives.

The move comes after actors Joe Swash, 26, and Dave Spinx, 57, were axed from the show because producers could not think of any more storylines for them.

Farewell to Walford: Mickey and Keith are in the Queen Vic saying their goodbyes before leaving to work in Rosie's hotel in the Cotswolds

The story unfolds when Darren and Mickey find a letter from Rosie offering Keith (Dave Spinx) a job at a hotel in the Cotswolds.

They are both angry at him for hiding it from them for this length of time and to prove a point, Mickey (Joe Swash) decides he'll take the job instead – even though it will mean him leaving the Square.

Keith begs for him not to leave, but Mickey is adamant.

Emotional: Keith and Mickey say their goodbyes

After speaking with Rosie, Mickey reveals that he can start his new job tomorrow and will be catching the next train.

Keith admits to Dawn (Kara Tointon) that he should have done something about Rosie's letter when he received it because he still loves her.

Later, Mickey and a clean-shaven Keith say an emotional goodbye to everyone in The Vic before leaving for their new lives, along with dog Genghis.

The two actors were axed from the show after producers said they had run out of stories for the characters.

Joe Swash, 26, joined the cast in 2003. However he was off for six weeks in 2005 when he suffered from meningitis in real life.