Writers ‘shocked and divided by EastEnders baby swap storyline’ as Samantha quits

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11 April 2012
The Weekender

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The cot death and baby swap storyline in EastEnders led to thousands of complaints and the departure of actress Samantha Womack.

Now it can be revealed that many of the scriptwriters for the BBC1 soap opera were also reluctant to take part in the harrowing plot.

Several of the core team of 20 and the second tier of 30 contributorsargued about the scenes, which were suggested by a handful of writers who do not have children.

Womack plays Ronnie Branning, who lost baby son James to cot death on New Year's Eve, then swapped him for Kat And Alfie Moon's live newborn, Tommy, in disturbing scenes.

A source on the soap revealed: "There are plenty of people on the set who have children and they have been utterly shocked. But some of those who were pushing the storyline do not have children themselves and don't seem to realise the effect it's having on people.

"Many felt they just can't relate to how shocked parents are feeling."

A spokesman for the BBC1 soap confirmed that Womack, 38, would be leaving in several months, but played down reports that her departure was prompted by the storyline.

Womack — formerly known as Samantha Janus before her marriage to actor husband Mark Womack — will reportedly leave the show in May.

About 3,500 viewers have voiced concerns to the BBC about the New Year episodes.

Only one other EastEnders story has prompted more complaints, when Danielle Jones was killed in a car crash moments after Ronnie found out the teenager was her daughter. More than 7,000 viewers contacted the BBC about that episode in April 2009.

Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said of the baby swap plot: "This is a challenging storyline and have taken care to ensure viewers were aware of the content in advance of transmission. We also provided action line numbers at the end of each show, offering advice and support to those affected by the issues."

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