Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Janus Womack)

[Dutchgirl]

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.

[Perdita]

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 too

[lizann]

I wonder would she have quit if they wasnt some many complaints about the story

[Abigail]

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.

[Perdita]

Thought she resigned in November, would not have known about the complaints then, if that is true

[lizann]

Thought she resigned in November, would not have known about the complaints then, if that is true

That is true

[Kim]

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.

[inkyskin]

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 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.

[alan45]

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

[Abigail]

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.