The BBC said the 65-year-old actor would probably leave the soap in spring 2003.

Caunter made his debut as the hapless second-hand car dealer on Boxing Day 1994, and has taken part in a number of memorable storylines, including torching his own car lot and his marriage to Pat Butcher, played by Pam St Clement - who then had an affair with her ex-husband Frank (Mike Reid).

Roy provides a centre of stability it will be hard to replace, and represents a sense of values we must make sure we retain

Executive producer Louise Berridge

Caunter said playing Roy had been "the happiest period of my career".

"We felt we'd done enough with Roy, and it was time for me to move on," he said.

"I will miss working alongside my screen family and all the team at EastEnders, but I look forward to trying out some new roles."

Executive producer Louise Berridge said: "The character of Roy has been invaluable to us. He provides a centre of stability it will be hard to replace, and represents a sense of values we must make sure we retain.

"I agree that it's time for the character to move on, but we will all miss Tony very much. Apart from being always the consummate professional, he is also a really lovely man, and we all wish him every success in whatever he turns his hand to next."

Caunter has been acting on film and TV since the 1960s.

He has also appeared in Pennies From Heaven, May To December, Tumbledown, Juliet Bravo, and Boon, where he played opposite the late Michael Elphick, who also starred in EastEnders.