Danny Dyer has played Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter since December 2013.
An EastEnders spokesperson confirmed to the Metro.co.uk: "Danny will be leaving EastEnders when his contract comes to an end later this year...
Danny has made Mick Carter an iconic character which we shall always be grateful for, however we won’t be saying goodbye just yet as there’s still quite some time – and plenty of explosive drama for Mick – to come before he departs Walford."
A source told The Mirror: "BBC bosses have been desperate to keep him. But he’s been insistent and when Sky approached they gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse. It’s a new chapter for Dan and he’s over the moon."
EastEnders is available to view on BBC iPlayer.