he had sustained in prison led to a brain haemorrhage and Arthur died suddenly in 1996 shortly after his release. Bill Treacher had asked to be written out of the series after eleven years playing Arthur. Treacher stated in a 2003 interview that he was forced to resign from the show in the end due to the negative effect it was having on his health. References External links Walford Gazette interview with Bill Treacher Free Arfa Website Television characters introduced in 1985 Male characters in television Beale family (EastEnders) Fictional prisoners and detainees