But she still went through with filming the storyline. She could have point blank refused to do it if she felt that strongly about it. Sure she would have probably been sacked but why sell out on your principles for the sake of more money?
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But she still went through with filming the storyline. She could have point blank refused to do it if she felt that strongly about it. Sure she would have probably been sacked but why sell out on your principles for the sake of more money?
So Kat and Alfie won't get Tommy back till May then :(
its better than the 2 years that EE first plannedQuote:
Originally Posted by matt1378
100% agree! If she was going to leave because of her principles, then leave, why go ahead with the filming?? Honestly, I think this is all a publicity stunt and she will be presuaded to stay. Mind you this is raising her publicity profile in the media. Sorry for being so cynical.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rudolph Lost in Nigeria at XMAS AGAIN!
Yes that is trueQuote:
Originally Posted by Rudolph Lost in Nigeria at XMAS AGAIN!
I'm sorry to hear that Samantha Womack is leaving EE, but, as someone who isn't watching EE at the moment because of the harrowing baby death storyline, I can see her point of view.
As for refusing to act out the storyline, she might have trouble getting more work if she was fired, so I can understand why she felt obliged to do her job.
Considering all the complaints and apathy towards the storyline, I wouldn't blame her for standing by her principles and quitting with immediate effect or being fired. I'd have more respect for her if she was fired than going through with the storyline and complaining afterwards.
Samantha Womack's agent has dismissed suggestions that the actress's decision to leave EastEnders was influenced by her current baby swap storyline.
Earlier today, a newspaper reported that the star had resigned in protest last November upon receiving the initial script for the plot, which has seen her character Ronnie Branning switch her dead son with Kat Moon's (Jessie Wallace) newborn baby.
However, Womack's representative Michael Wiggs has insisted that that the current speculation surrounding her decision is untrue.
In a statement, Wiggs explained: "There's no truth whatsoever in any suggestion that Sam is 'quitting' EastEnders over the current storyline. Sam's contract comes to a natural end later this year and she will be taking a break from the show - this has been agreed with the producers for several months.
"Sam has had an incredibly happy and fulfilling time on EastEnders over the last few years. She has huge respect for the show, writers and producers and has thoroughly enjoyed playing such a complex role that has been involved in so many tough and challenging storylines."
John Yorke, Controller of BBC Drama, added: "Sam is a much loved member of the cast, who has consistently given truthful and brilliant performances as Ronnie Branning. When she leaves at the end of this storyline, she'll be much missed - and the door will be open for her return."
Meanwhile, an EastEnders spokesperson said: "The current storyline allows an exit for Ronnie Branning. Samantha Womack has been a major part of the show's success in recent years and she will continue to work with us until her departure later this year."
I'm sorry she's leaving too, but don't blame her.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frosty
Would have been better if she hadn't acted the storyline, but I guess she would have been fired and that doesn't look good like you say Frosty. I think she'd have had a good case for unfair dismissal though.
Still don't think that it was wrong for her to resign after filming the storyline, if that was the reason for her to go. I think she acted like a professional in my opinion.
There could be some restrictions in her contract. If she fails to act out a storyline it could be that she would have to pay a penalty due to work refusal.
BTW I quiet resent the referral of Deadenders in new topics every time when it concerns Eastenders. It makes a mock of people who do actually enjoy watching Eeastenders. I even swapped my provider in order so I can still watch the BBC.
So if you would do me the courtesy of leaving that referral.
I have asked for that before tooQuote:
Originally Posted by Dutchgirl
I wonder would she have quit if they wasnt some many complaints about the story
I'm sure if she was nominated for a BAFTA she might think differently.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lizziexmas
Thought she resigned in November, would not have known about the complaints then, if that is true
That is trueQuote:
Originally Posted by Christmas Angel
I agree. I see why she felt she had to film the storyline even if it is the case that she's not happy with it; she couldn't exactly use public reaction in her defence at the time.
I agree with the 'deadenders' thing..if you don't enjoy watching it then simply don't, there's no need to take the Mick..apparently it's meant to be humour,although i fail to see how or why...all i see it as is pathetic.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutchgirl
EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood has insisted that the soap's team never intended to upset viewers when they created the controversial baby swap storyline.
The Walford show has received a public backlash over a plot which has seen Ronnie Branning (Samantha Womack) lose her baby son James to cot death, before secretly switching him with Kat Moon's (Jessie Wallace) child in her despair.
Writing on the official EastEnders website about the row, Kirkwood commented: "Our aim was - and still is - to tell a strong story that would, in the telling - raise the profile of cot death in the UK. It's clear that we've managed to do this, and that traffic to the FSID [Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths] website has increased by over 500%, but we are also mindful of the fact that in doing so, sections of our audience have found the storyline challenging.
"EastEnders never sets out to upset its audience - not only would it be counter-productive, it would be a breach of a long-established trust that we can deliver truthful stories that inspire debate in a way that's acceptable to a family audience.
"Although we have had complaints, we have also had positive responses from people who have been through the experiences we are currently dramatising who feel we've done this and have contacted us to offer their backing.
"A large portion of audience are watching and being supportive of the storyline so we owe those viewers the opportunity to continue to engage with it and see the storyline through to its rightful conclusion."
Kirkwood also discussed the now-confirmed decision to end the storyline early. Reports suggest that it could conclude on screen by April.
He said: "Whenever we embark on a story at EastEnders, we always leave it open-ended to monitor and listen to audience reaction. With this in mind, we are going to bring the story to a close on screen in the spring.
"As the story progresses and Kat is reunited with her child, we hope to explore the impact of the tragic events that have befallen the characters in a way that is powerful, but true to the best public service tradition of the show."
ds
I wonder if there are any official statistics on women who lose a child from cot death then swap their dead baby with somebody else's. I can't imagine its all that common. Stealing somebody else's baby for whatever reason is very rare. Even in the East End of London it can't be that common to kidnap a child so I wonder why this absurd storyline was dreamt up because it certainly doesn't resonate with viewers. Many women have suffered a cot death, I know somebody that has, but why would anybody want to replace their dead baby with somebody else's child? I get the physical attachment part (holding, feeding, bathing) but eventually somebody is going to find out that the baby has died and another has gone missing and the grieving mother has suddenly got a live baby again. I dunno, I guess the grieving mind can think all sorts but stealing somebody else's baby and causing them similar pain just doesn't seem like something a grieving parent would do to me.
EVEN in the East End?????????????????????????????????????????Quote:
Originally Posted by Rudolph Lost in Nigeria at XMAS AGAIN!
That's my thinking too - your child is irreplaceable and if it died the last thing you'd want to do would be to swap it with another child. I'd be interested to know if this has ever happened in real life. I bet it hasn't.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rudolph Lost in Nigeria at XMAS AGAIN!
Not sure of your tone but I'll qualify my comment anyway. I was perhaps being a tad prejudicial as I don't recall visiting the East End, however it's portrayed as the "rough end" of London with a high crime rate.That's not really qualifying my statement, I was speaking about an area that I know little about. I apologise.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Explosive Elf
I would think the deceased baby's parents wouldnt want to let them go let alone swap the baby for another
You know I didn't watch EE over the festive season so I can't comment on the way the issue was handled. What I will say is that maybe it's time for all the writers of soaps to have a good long look at themselves and the plots they come up with. I will agree that there has been some issues over the years that have been well handled but most of the time stories are highlighted just to boost viewing figures without doing proper research. EE should never had the baby swap storyline they way they did it was insensitive.
Not to mention, who swaps babies?! I can't think of any cases around the world where this has happened. Why give your dead baby to somebody else? Surely you'd want to bury him and make sure he was safe. It just doesn't make sense at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Horny Hollie
If they'd have done the cot death part on its own and done it well, EE would have won over viewers and reached out to thousands of families that have lost a child to cot death. Instead they come up with this insane storyline that has probably never happened anywhere in the world.
Deadenders controversial baby swap storyline has become the most complained-about plot in the soap's history.
8,400 viewers have now contacted the BBC to raise concerns over the current story centring around Ronnie Branning's (Samantha Womack) decision to switch her dead son with Kat Moon's (Jessie Wallace) newborn child.
347 complaints have also been made to the broadcasting regulator Ofcom, though it is understood that the watchdog currently has no plans to launch an official investigation into the matter.
In another eventful day for the Walford show, it was confirmed this afternoon that the storyline will now be brought to an early end due to the backlash, possibly as early as April.
Meanwhile, EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood has issued a fresh statement in response to the row, insisting that the aim of the plot is to "tell a strong story that would, in the telling, raise the profile of cot death in the UK".
Kirkwood also confirmed the outcome of the story, assuring fans that Kat will be "reunited with her child" in the months ahead.
The death of Ronnie's daughter Danielle Jones in a car accident had previously held EastEnders' complaints record, attracting 7,000 in April 2009.
This storyline is going to have a huge impact on EE in the coming months. you don't have to have suffered a cot-death in the family to be affected or angered but this story. It's time all soaps had a long think about what issues they use in the name of enteratinment. I can see EE parting with a whole load of cash for charity or heads will roll.
There is an article on todays Irish News of the World newspaper where Sam is blaming the soaps supremos and that is she in a hell over it
She says she fears leaving the house because some people can't separate fact from fiction and are blaming her for it. Stupid people :angry:Quote:
Originally Posted by tammyy2j
EastEnders star Samantha Womack has reportedly been contemplating leaving the soap for two years.
The actress, whose character Ronnie Branning was at the centre of the show's controversial baby swap storyline, has been unhappy for some time but was persuaded to stay by producers, the Daily Star Sunday reports.
A source said: "Sam has been thinking about leaving since 2008. There seemed to be a few teething problems early on and things appeared difficult with one fellow actor. But all that blew over before it all kicked off again over her on-screen daughter Danielle's death in 2009.
"She had a particularly difficult time of it last year when she had to film her on-screen dad's murder as she was coming to terms with losing her dad in real life. She found it all incredibly hard and it really took its toll on her emotionally. But show bosses managed to persuade her to stay, although she still wasn't completely happy.
"Barbara Windsor leaving last year was another blow and she's really missed having her around on set. The baby swap storyline was always going to signal the end of her time on the show but it was up to her how long it would last. It all came to a head last week when she'd decided she'd just had enough."
It was recently confirmed that Womack will leave EastEnders after nearly four years when the current storyline comes to an end.
DS
So when did she decide to leave? Years ago, last November or recently because of the controversy?
Who knows? We all have an opinion, only one person knows the truth. We all have to make decisions in life that could affect future job prospects but I didn't hear her bleating when the storyline was first announced or see her sudden resignation when the scripts were written. Therefore I can only conclude that she was happy with the storyline and has only come out now saying she didn't agree with it because of all the backlash. Naturally we all have our opinion on this but I firmly believe that if she objected that much to a storyline she wouldn't have filmed it. We all have to do things at work that we don't like but acting is a little bit different, one has to work hard to make something convincing, its not like writing a report. She could have worked with the producers to script something a little less fancyfull and ridiculous, such as a straightforward cot death or a baby kidnap plot or stillbirth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
I really don't have any sympathy for her.
I wonder was it SteveQuote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
Steve??
McFadden aka Beetroot Man?Quote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
I wonder if instead of so many people criticising this appalling storyline there had been widespread praise and awards for it would Mrs Womack have been so keen to leave Deadenders. I suspect she would have basked in the glory. Anyway she didnt seem too upset when filming it did she
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/a...0_1170980a.jpg
EASTENDERS star Samantha Womack last night blasted rumours she's close to collapse - saying: "I'm NOT having a breakdown."
The star - who we revealed quit the BBC soap over the controversial baby swap storyline - smiled as she joked with photographers outside her North London home.
Sam, 38, said: "Please don't make me look like I'm having a nervous breakdown."
Later she told a pal that she was "absolutely fine... just knackered".
Show chiefs now plan for Sam's character Ronnie Branning to hand back Kat Moon's child.
She will do so on the day of the funeral for her cot-death baby.
I guess we don't really know and perhaps people should stop criticising Samantha Womack unless they are absolutely certain of the truth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Perdita
so the storyline is cut very short.. the funeral is next week isn't it???
Sharon Marshall said on This Morning that it is not over with the funeral, it will be Easter time