Gambling fever will kill off motel boss David Hunter in the TV series Crossroads.  Before he leaves the series, viewers will see his life fall apart because of gambling.

 

The character, played by actor Ronnie Allen, is being written out of the long-running series on the orders of new producer Philip Bowman.  David's screen wife, Barbara Hunter, played by Sue Lloyd, has also been axed.

 

Scriptwriters rejected a number of dramatic ways of killing off the pair, including a car crash and a murder plot.  Instead they opted to revive David's gambling addiction which was a storyline seven years ago.

 

Viewers will see Barbara confronting her husband in a violent row in a casino.  She tells him he must leave the gaming tables with her at once or she will leave him for ever.  Later, they are seen making it up in the casino bar and vowing to fight David's gambling addiction together.

 

Crossroads bosses confirmed the gambling storyline yesterday but refused to say how it ends.  Fans will have to wait to find out if David and Barbara separate - or leave the motel for a new life together.