The dramatic departure of Junior Knight from EastEnders has been officially revealed, with actor Micah Balfour set to exit the BBC One soap in an explosive storyline that sees his character confront dangerous situations.
The Beginning of the End
Junior Knight's exit storyline begins next week on EastEnders, marking the beginning of the end for Micah Balfour's time in Walford. A spokesperson for the long-running BBC programme confirmed: "We can confirm Micah will be leaving EastEnders later this year. We wish him all the best for the future."
Micah Balfour, who previously played Doctor Bailey in Emmerdale, joined the EastEnders cast in May 2024 as Junior, the son of George Knight portrayed by Colin Salmon. From his introduction, Junior established himself as something of a love rat, taking particular pleasure in flirting with Chelsea Fox, played by Zaraah Abrahams, while simultaneously sleeping with Bianca Jackson, portrayed by Patsy Palmer.
A Troubled Past and Broken Relationships
Despite being married to a woman called Monique, Junior's infidelities ultimately led to his downfall. The couple share a son named Xavier, but Monique took the young boy away from Junior when she discovered his unfaithfulness. They moved away from Walford, leaving Junior heartbroken yet apparently undeterred from pursuing other women.
His romantic entanglements took a particularly dramatic turn when he developed a connection with George's ex-wife Cindy Beale, played by Michelle Collins. Their affair lasted for the majority of 2024 and was exposed at Christmas when Lauren Branning, portrayed by Jacqueline Jossa, gifted Ian Beale, played by Adam Woodyatt, a USB stick that confirmed Cindy's betrayal.
The Final Chapter Unfolds
Junior's concluding story in Walford begins with the aftermath of the ordeal that Okie put Kojo Asare, played by Dayo Koleosho, and Harry Mitchell, portrayed by Elijah Holloway, through. In upcoming episodes, Junior and George attempt to support Kojo, who remains desperate to move back into his flat.
Later, as a lonely Junior confides in George and Gina Knight, played by Francesca Henry, about missing his son Xavier, Kojo spies an opportunity and heads back into his flat. Throughout the week, George and Junior struggle to maintain civility given everything that has happened between them, leading to Junior revealing that he has booked a flight back to Dubai and accepted employment there.
Worried about losing his son for a second time, George attempts to make amends with Junior, but tensions escalate again when Junior learns that his father plans to send Kojo back to Ghana. In a desperate move, Junior pays Ravi a visit, leaving viewers to wonder how this dangerous encounter will ultimately play out.
This departure forms part of new producer Ben Wadey's shake-up of the show, which also includes the exit of Junior's sister Anna Knight, played by Molly Rainford. Recently, fans speculated that a clue to Anna's departure storyline appeared during an episode featuring the Queen Vic pub quiz, where she revealed she was saving money for an impending "trip to Oz," leading to theories that she might be heading for a new life in Australia.
