Paul Nicholls' fans are set for disappointment - the actor won't feature in the next series of TV show Law And Order: UK.

The former EastEnders star joined the sixth series of the hit ITV drama as headstrong young officer DS Sam Casey.

A spokesman for Law And Order told The Sun that Paul would not appear in the new series in the spring.

"Due to other work commitments, Paul Nicholls was only ever available to film the first six episodes of Law And Order: UK series seven," she said.

Paul, who last year also appeared in Midsomer Murders and Holby City, became a household name at 16, when he joined EastEnders as troubled Joe Wicks.

He quit Albert Square after two years and went straight into TV series City Central, but asked for his character to be written out, saying afterwards in an interview: "I was well on my way to a total breakdown. I was drinking a lot and taking drugs. I had lost control of my life."