Bad boy Andy gets the elbow

EastEnders bad boy Andy Hunter has been axed.

17:14 18 November 2004

Michael Higgs, who plays EastEnders bad boy Andy Hunter, has been sacked from the struggling soap.

Producers hoped that Higgs, who made his name in ITV's The Bill, would inject some nastiness into the Square following the departure of Phil Mitchell.

But according to The Sun he's been given the elbow for being too nice.

"Andy was supposed to take over as Phil Mitchell as the resident tough nut," an insider told the paper.

"But though he's a good looking guy, viewers just haven't found him frightening or believable."

Since moving to Albert Square Andy has had his former henchman Minty hospitalised, run a drugs ring from his betting shop and blackmailed Kat into sleeping with him.