EastEnders fans have been left scratching their heads over Micah Balfour’s actual age, having initially assumed the actor to be much younger.

The soap star made his Walford debut as Junior Knight in May 2024, playing the estranged son of George (Colin Salmon), and quickly stirred up trouble for his dad.

During his stint on the Square, the shrewd businessman has navigated a slew of storylines, gaining notoriety for his chronic infidelity towards his wife, Monique, and an affair with his ex-stepmother, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).

In this week’s episodes, Junior was livid to find out that his vulnerable uncle Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) was being coerced into peddling drugs for Okie (Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara).

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On Tuesday (November 4), Kojo bravely managed to rescue his best mate, Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway), who had been held hostage by Okie for weeks, reports OK!.

Kojo succeeded in alerting his brother George and nephew Junior, and together with Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian), they found Harry unconscious in the street before rushing him and Kojo to hospital.

Despite all the family drama, it seems Junior is gearing up to say goodbye to Walford for good as he plans to return to Dubai.

This decision comes as Junior reveals how much he misses his young son Xavier, who currently resides in the United Arab Emirates with his mum.

Micah, 47, is said to be ‘heartbroken’ that soap bosses have decided to axe his character, Junior, from the programme, although he won’t meet a grisly end.

A BBC spokesperson later confirmed the news to The Mirror, saying: “We can confirm Micah will be leaving EastEnders later this year, we wish him all the best for the future.”

With Junior becoming tangled up in Kojo’s drugs storyline, EastEnders viewers have been left stunned to discover Micah’s actual age of 47, having assumed the actor was much younger.

On Reddit, one viewer commented: “Kojo being 46 does not sit right with me since Kojo actor is 41 in real life, so Kojo should have been slightly younger like 38 which is same age as his nephew Junior. Junior actor is 47 in real life.”

Setting aside the Kojo discussion, some EastEnders enthusiasts were gobsmacked to learn Micah’s real age, gasping: “Junior actor is 47? Holy ****”, before continuing: “There ain’t no way he’s a few years younger than my PARENTS! ! I thought he was my age! (26).”

Another fan contributed: “Yeah, that’s the bigger takeaway from me, I’d have said late 20s / early 30s!”

“WHAT”, one bewildered fan simply responded, whilst another shared their astonishment and declared: “Wait he’s 46, I thought at least early 30s.”

“Junior actor is 47? ! ? He doesn’t look it at all”, remarked yet another viewer.

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer