Eastenders General News Thread

EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood has said that he stands by the decision to show gay couple Christian Clarke and Syed Masood in bed together in a recent episode of the soap.

The episode in question sparked complaints from a handful of viewers who felt that the pair's scene was "inappropriate".

Official figures released earlier this week showed that 125 people had contacted the corporation to complain about the matter. However, 77 messages were also sent from viewers who praised EastEnders for including the scene.

Responding to the complaints during an appearance on This Morning today, Kirkwood commented: "I think EastEnders was the first soap to broadcast a gay kiss about 24, 25 years ago so it's only taken them 25 years to get into the bedroom from the living room!

"I think that we showed a heterosexual kiss on Monday night between Max and Vanessa that had no complaints, so I think we're right to show a loving, tender relationship within the context of the timeslot."

He continued: "I think Christian and Syed are the most established gay, loving relationship on TV. It wasn't crude, it wasn't over-sexual. It was something that you see every day within a heterosexual relationship and I stand by the decision to do it. [Syed] had just accepted his marriage proposal, so it was a beautiful moment."

Kirkwood also promised that the popular couple will be at the forefront of EastEnders in the coming months as they begin to play a bigger role in the Masoods' current storyline with scheming doctor Yusef Khan.

"They've just got engaged, they're trying to start the search to adopt a child and we'll see Christian and Syed coming well and truly front and centre of the show over the coming months as they get back into the Yusef storyline," he said.

A former EastEnders producer has defended a number of recent controversial soap storylines, describing them as "invaluable" in educating younger viewers.

John Yorke, senior drama executive at the BBC, argued that plots such as Emmerdale's assisted suicide saga and the sexual exploitation exposé in EastEnders highlight sensitive real-world issues in an entertaining way.

"If you ringfence soaps and say they are not a place for adult issues, removing them, it would be like making children's programmes," Yorke told The Guardian.

"It would be like taking the wolf out of Little Red Riding Hood. They allow children to assimilate uncomfortable views about the world in a safe setting... there is a need to show complex issues."

Yorke added that potentially upsetting storylines should be publicised well in advance to avoid a repeat of the EastEnders baby-swap controversy, which prematurely ended after attracting more than 8,000 complaints.

He also noted that soaps have ably changed with the times, becoming "more liberal" in terms of addressing issues of sexuality while ditching language that could be deemed as offensive by modern audiences.

Daniela Denby-Ashe has revealed that she would relish the chance to return to EastEnders.

The My Family actress appeared in the soap as Sarah Hills from 1995 to 1999. Hills was engaged twice, firstly to Joe Wicks (Paul Nicholls) and later to Matthew Rose (Joe Absolom).

She told People: "I think she ended up going to prison for murder but I'd never say never.

"I was watching it the other night and I thought it was fantastic. I'd love to go back and I think it would be interesting to see what the storyline would be."

Denby-Ashe has appeared in sitcom My Family as daughter Janey for 11 years. The actress added that she never expected the show, which will end after its current eleventh series, to last as long as it had.

"I was really surprised by the success of the show. I don't think anyone expected that.

"Fred Barron the creator tried to sell it in America and he couldn't so he came over here. I think we're lucky he did."

The fiance of former EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has been ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work for assaulting her.
Adam Cottrell, 31, who had admitted assaulting Cassidy, was also made subject to a restraining order banning him from contacting the actress.
He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at East Hertfordshire Magistrates' Court in Hertford to two counts of assault and one of criminal damage.
Cassidy, who was due to marry Cottrell later this year, played Sonia Jackson in the BBC1 soap.
After quitting the series in 2007, she briefly rejoined in February 2010 before making a solitary appearance earlier this year.

120 hours isn't enough. How many more women could he do this to in the future?

Claudia Winkleman has conceded defeat in her attempts to tempt EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt into appearing as a guest on her new Channel 4 show.

The 39-year-old presenter, who hosts Friday night comedy talkshow King of..., admitted that her sexual advances on the Ian Beale actor may have backfired.

"He's my go-to for everything - I rubbed up against him once and he looked appalled," she told Buzz. "I've asked him to come on King Of..., but he won't."

Winkleman, who has been married for 11 years to film producer Kris Thykier, recently described the programme as "the s**ttest thing you'll ever see".

The Film 2011 presenter has previously confessed to a crush on Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow, stating her belief that "no-one wears a tie as jauntily as him".

Channel 4's King Of... continues tonight at 9.30pm, featuring Jessie Wallace and Stephen Mangan as this week's guests.

EastEnders star Shane Richie has revealed he wants to adopt a child - after becoming a father for the fifth time.

The actor, who plays Albert Square's Alfie Moon, wants to expand his brood even further after adding daughter Romalie to his family two months ago.

And he told Hello! magazine that he and wife Christie were "serious" about adoption.

"We certainly would do it," Richie said. "We were talking about looking into it at Christmas so we can spend some quality time with Romalie this summer.

"We know we'll have to jump through hoops, but it's something we are serious about, so we are going to get someone round from the local council to talk through what we have to do.

"There's enough love in this house and enough room and I think we could give a kid a chance who may not necessarily otherwise get a chance. We are definitely up for it."

The couple showed off their new baby for the first time in the magazine.

Richie has two sons from his marriage to Coleen Nolan, plus two more children, Mackenzie and Lolita, from his current marriage.

"I would love more kids," said Christie. "Motherhood is everything I dreamt it would be. All I wanted was to be married and to have children and to be happy - I couldn't ask for anything more. We have talked about adopting, so we will see."

The full interview is in the new issue of Hello!, which is out now.


PA

Sounds like Shane is taking a break around Christmas,,, if he is wanting to spend time with his daughter?????

I think he means waiting until Christmas with looking into adopting so he has the summer to spend with his new baby girl.

Ex-EastEnders star Billy Murray will not face trial over assault allegations.

The 69-year-old actor was arrested in April, accused of beating his wife Elaine and daughter Lizzie "during a boozy late-night family row" at their Essex penthouse.

However, The Mirror reports that the Crown Prosecution Service has said that no further action will be taken.

A spokesman confirmed: "We can confirm that the case has been discontinued and no further action will be taken."

Murray, who also appears in advertisements for Injury Lawyers 4 U, had apparently put his career on hold following the arrest.

The London-born actor appeared as gangster Johnny Allen in EastEnders from January 2005 to October 2006. He had previously starred in axed ITV police drama The Bill as the corrupt DS Don Beech.