Baby swap plot cleared by OFCOM

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.

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.  

Womack quits as EastEnders baby swap plot is to be cut short

EastEnders actress Samantha Womack, who plays the grieving mum Ronnie Mitchell, is to leave the BBC1 soap in the summer.  The show’s bosses have come under severe fire for its controversial baby swap storyline, and have now confirmed to end the plot earlier than expected after a record number of complaints.

DEPARTING: Samantha Womack is to leave this summer

Womack, who came into the show in 2007 – along with fictional sister Roxy, played by Rita Simons, has had a turbulent time in the Square, but her latest storyline has seen EastEnders move right into the public spotlight.  Her newly born son James was victim to a tragic cot death on New Year’s Eve.  Confused and grief-stricken, Ronnie walked across the Square and swapped her dead child with another newborn Tommy.  Viewers have been distressed to see the emotionally charged which have seen Kat and Alfie Moon, played by the popular Jessie Wallace and Shane Ritchie grieving at the baby’s loss, whilst across Walford, a guilty Ronnie is bringing up their baby. 

The BBC has received 8,400 complaints as of Friday afternoon, which has made it the most complained plot in its 26 year history.  It surpasses the 7,000 complaints received when Ronnie’s daughter, Danielle Jones was run over by Janine Malloy (Charlie Brooks) in April 2009.  The broadcasting regulator OFCOM has received approximately 350 complaints, though it is believed that the media watchdog is unlikely to make an official inquiry into the storyline.  

DEFENCE: Producer Bryan Kirkwood still has confidence in the plot

Ex-Hollyoaks producer Bryan Kirkwood, who revived the fortunes of the failing Channel 4 soap between 2006-2009 defended the plot on the official EastEnders website; “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.

The Sun ran the story of Samantha Womack’s departure on its front page on Thursday, claiming that her reluctance to do the storyline has resulted in her decision to leave the show.  These allegations were firmly denied by Womack’s agent, Michael Wiggs later that day; "There's no truth whatsoever in any suggestion that Sam is 'quitting' EastEnders over the current storyline.  "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."

Kirkwood has confirmed that scenes are being rewritten and reshot and the storyline, initially due to run for an entire year, will be concluded soon, possibly even as early as Easter.  He also revealed that there would be a happy ending and that Kat will be reunited with her son.

Personally, the storyline has attracted a lot of criticism and perhaps, EastEnders should have thought about running it, especially at such a highly-charged point of time, such as the happy festive season.  However, it has pushed the soap back into the media spotlight, after playing second fiddle to rival Coronation Street since Barbara Windsor’s tame exit as queen matriarch Peggy Mitchell last September.  By responding to the audience’s widespread complaints, it has managed to salvage some of the damage taken from the storyline and the acting qualities of Samantha Womack, Shane Ritchie, Jessie Wallace and Scott Maslen (Jack Branning) have shone through brilliantly, especially in filming such highly-charged scenes.

Blow For The Square As The Lovely Lacey Quits

New executive producer Bryan Kirkwood and his bosses were dealt a huge blow to their future plans for BBC’s EastEnders last week, when news broke through of the impending departure of one of the most popular actresses in Albert Square history; Lacey Turner is to leave the show.

Turner, who plays the popular character Stacey Slater, has seeked the desire to chase up other opportunities in the world of acting.  Having played Stacey since 2004, the time may be right for her to move onto pastures new.  However, EastEnders will be a poorer show without her extraordinary talent, that made her stand out, even during the mid-part of the last decade, when the show was in rapid decline.

Lacey has had some incredible storylines in her six years on the Square.  She arrived in November 2004, as a meddling character, determined to cause havoc for many people, whatever it took.  Quickly, she soon settled down with Bradley Branning and the two lovebirds embarked on a Romeo & Juliet romance.  Stacey was also involved in the year-long affair with Bradley’s dad Max, which kept viewers hooked on how Bradley would find out what his cheating wife and deceitful Dad had been upto.  On Christmas Day 2007, all was revealed on a DVD, in one of EastEnders finest recent moments.  Since then, Stacey also had to deal with the disease, bipolar, a first of British soaps.  It saw Lacey take on some really challenging and gritty roles, making her standout even more than before.

More recently, Stacey married Bradley again, but in the live episode to culminate EastEnders 25^th anniversary, Bradley, on the run from the police plunged to his tragic death off the roof of the Queen Vic.  Seconds later, Stacey confessed to Max that she had been the one who killed the hated Archie Mitchell on Christmas Day 2009.  A showdown between the two recently occurred on-screen, as Max tried to catch-up and make Stacey pay for her actions. 

On her departure, Lacey told the media website Digital Spy: “I've had the most fantastic time at EastEnders. Stacey has been such a brilliant role for me to play, as has being part of the feisty Slater family.  "I'm so lucky to have had such challenging storylines, from the affair with Max and being diagnosed with bipolar to the complete shock of being revealed as Archie's killer during the live 25th Anniversary episode."  "I'll miss Stacey and everyone in Albert Square very much but the time has come to try something different."

In the past five years, Turner’s successful acting has won her numerous awards, ranging from Best Actress at the National Television Awards, to Best Newcomer at the British Soap Awards.  She has amassed a staggering twenty-eight awards, some as part of a storyline and the Best Serial Drama, which EastEnders normally ends up winning.

Kirkwood has confirmed that a dramatic exit is being written for Stacey, and the door will remain open to one of Walford’s most favourite and iconic characters making a return in the future.  So don’t worry Stacey fans, she won’t be departing in a coffin, no need for the tissues!

Lacey Turner has been a real credit to EastEnders and she will be profoundly missed by everyone at the BBC.  However, her success playing Stacey Slater surely means we haven’t seen the last of her on television.  She can only go onto brighter and bigger ventures in the future.

Hollyoaks - Drastic Changes Taking Place, Is It On The Slide Already Though!

This week, new Hollyoaks producer Paul Marquess has really being stamping his authority on the Channel 4 soap, but is it too late already.  The soap drama has already been on the decline for a good while now, and many will see this latest move as an act of pure desperation…

Marquess’s previous work includes Brookside, The Bill and Footballers Wives and on each occasion, he has been known to produce a dramatic overhaul of each show, with varying fortunes.  The cast members of Hollyoaks must have been trembling with fear in recent weeks, fearing for their future and now for many, that niggling thought is now a horrific reality.  Marquess claims that the show needed ‘a decent shake-up,’ and that is no disgrace, because realistically, it does.  However, his claims that loads of contracts up for renewal haven’t been renewed sound a tad far-fetched.  To axe 17 members in quick succession sounds really mad.  For many Hollyoaks fans, there will be plenty of tears to be shared over the coming months.

Already this year, fans have said very tameful and undramatic goodbyes to Mike Barnes (Tony Hirst), Zoe Carpenter (Zoe Lister) and Hannah Ashworth (Emma Rigby).  Hollyoaks has suffered massively from the loss of iconic actors/actresses such as Chris Fountain, Matt Littler, Gemma Bissix, Roxanne McKee and Darren Jefferies.  The core of the show has been ripped apart in the last two years, as many have wanted to pursue their careers elsewhere, which is understandable.  However, the replacements have not been up to scratch.  Combine that with producer Bryan Kirkwood’s departure after The Loft Fire last May, in which Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) was killed and the show has lacked the stability and inspiration to be driven forward since then.  Lucy Allan’s Kirkwood’s long-term deputy stepped into the breach, but most storylines have been unrealistic and dire.  Hollyoaks non-linear week last September which saw bad boy Gaz Bennett attacked was so dismal and although the Flash-forward episode last Christmas was a success, there hasn’t been enough to convince everyone that Hollyoaks has been able to continue in the right direction. 

Strictly Come Dancing runner-up Ricky Whittle, a.k.a Calvin Valentine has already quit.  He was the victim of the Flash-forward episode, as his character was shot on his wedding day.  Gerard McCarthy, who plays the cross-dressing Kris Fisher is also set to leave, and rekindle his love with the West End.  The others who have had their contracts terminated are the following:

Neville Ashworth (Jim Millea)

Suzanne Ashworth (Suzanne Hall)

Josh Ashworth (Sonny Flood)

Sasha Valentine (Natalie Emmanuel)

Leo Valentine (Brian Bovell)

Lauren Valentine (Dominique Jackson)

Loretta Jones (Melissa Walton)

Jake Dean (Kevin Sacre)

Newt (Nico Mirallengro)

Zak Ramsay (Kent Riley)

Spencer Gray (Darren Langford)

Dave Colburn (Elliot James Langridge)

Des Townsend (Kris Deedigan)

However, the plus point is that the phenomenal McQueen family remain untouched and Marquess has already promised at least two new families to enter the show, with the promise they will add to the show’s supposed strong core.  It’s a brave new world out there, but this move seems to be just desperate.  Can Hollyoaks stay strong or go into total obscurity, the next year is crucial to see if this gambled transformation actually works?