Eastenders will have its most harrowing holiday period ever when Ronnie Mitchell steals Kat Moon's baby moments after her child dies.
In some of the most emotional scenes in soap history, Ronnie will lose her tot to cot death and run to the Queen Vic for help - still clutching and talking to the body.
As everyone else celebrates New Year's Eve, she hears Kat's newborn cry upstairs, switches it with hers and runs off.
Exec producer Bryan Kirkwood said: "When Ronnie loses the one thing she's always wanted she acts on impulse in a moment of sheer desperation."
Filming of the scenes began this week with Jessie Wallace, 39, and Samantha Womack, 38, as Kat and Ronnie.
Kirkwood said: "We're lucky to have two wonderful actresses who understand the need to portray this subject sensitively."
A show source said: "It will not make for easy viewing, but the makers wanted to work on this subject."
Bosses say they have taken care to research the issue and hope to raise awareness of the 300 babies claimed by cot death every year.
Joyce Epstein of cot death charity FSID said: "We are very grateful for their accurate depiction of the devastating effect the sudden death of an infant can have on a family.
The other Christmas story is the exit of Stacey Branning, played by Lacey Turner.
Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/tv/20...#ixzz153WOmN4w
Go Camping for 95p! Vouchers collectable in the Daily and Sunday Mirror until 11th August . Click here for more information
Reply With Quote