MEDIA regulator OFCOM has cleared BBC soap EastEnders of any wrongdoing over a controversial storyline last Christmas. The baby swap plot, which ultimately led to the departure of actress Samantha Womack, received a record number of complaints, but the drama will not face any actions for the dramatic episodes which were screened around New Year.
The storyline focused on two of the show’s most loved characters, Ronnie Branning, played by Womack and Kat Moon, played by Jessie Wallace giving birth to two beautiful babies almost at the same time. Ronnie’s baby, James tragically passed away and in clear distress and not knowing where to turn, Ronnie sneaked into the Queen Vic and snatched Kat’s baby Tommy whilst the new mother was in hospital. OFCOM received 1,044 complaints whilst 23,000 people complained about the episodes to the BBC. In response, producer Bryan Kirkwood elected to end the storyline earlier than initally planned, with Ronnie giving the baby back to Kat and Alfie Moon in April. Recently, Womack left EastEnders after Ronnie was sentenced to three years in jail for her actions.
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| SWAP: The baby plot has been cleared by OFCOM |
Many viewers were worried that these episodes had been shown in a pre-9pm watershed slot, but OFCOM said that the soap had “a record of tackling controversial and, at times, highly sensitive social issues.” Another feature in the report was this;
“The storyline presented Kat’s grief, disbelief and anger and the temporary breakdown of her relationship as well as her gradual coming to terms with her loss and the efforts to rebuild her life following the tragedy.”
They concluded that the extensive research and meetings the BBC held with cast members and foundations before going ahead with the storyline, consequently “providing sufficient context overall to justify the potential offence.”
Ultimately, although I admit that it wasn’t the right time of year to broadcast a storyline like that, some people took their criticisms way too far and need to accept that soaps like EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Coronation Street will broadcast controversial and perhaps, distasteful storylines in order to get a reaction. Hopefully, EastEnders can now move on from this brave attempt, and under the guidance of Kirkwood, will almost certainly aim for more challenging scenarios and storylines in future.
