BOLTON'S Paul Nicholls has sensationally quit top soap Eastenders.

But his mum exclusively told the BEN today that it's not because he is cracking-up like his character tormented teenager Joe Wicks.

Julie Greenhalgh said her heart throb son had planned to leave the show for months - and it was not, as reported in some of today's tabloids, because he could not stand the pace.

Paul will take time out to have a rest, enjoy himself with his girlfriend and consider his future.

She said: "It was Paul's decision to sign a six month long contract with Eastenders. They had asked him to sign up for longer, but he declined.

"I saw him before he went to Paris to celebrate his 18th birthday. He was fit and well and was definitely not cracking up."

Julie said Paul wants to be known as an actor rather than a pin-up.

He will leave the show in September. His final scenes will be screened in October after 18 months. It is believed the storyline could allow him to return later. Julie added: "He has been a very lucky lad and he is still very young.

"It's not as though he has struggled and been to drama school and is in his 20s or 30s, one would have to stop a minute and take a serious think about it.

"Paul is young enough not be afraid."

She said that her son has loved his time on Eastenders. "It is something that he will never regret. The things he has learnt are incredible."

The events of the past year have all been a far cry from his days at Church Road Primary School and Smithills High School where his love of acting developed.

A spokesman for Eastenders said: "Joe's story has a long way to go and Paul has a happy relationship with everyone on Eastenders."

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