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Last Updated: 03 Feb 2011

EastEnder star quits over story

It's the storyline that has had everyone talking, and now one of the EastEnders stars involved in the harrowing baby swap cot death story has sensationally quit the soap.

Samantha Womack who plays Ronnie Branning had voiced her concern over the scenes in which her new baby dies and she steals Kat and Alfie Moon's child.

Her pleas to rethink the story apparently fell on deaf ears and now the BBC have received 3000 complaints about the storyline.

She has now announced that she will leave the soap in May. Sources close to Samantha say that she found filming unbearable and was very concerned about the impact the scenes would have on mothers who had lost children to cot death.

What do you think of the EastEnders storyline - have they taken it too far this time?

 

Your Comments

Stephanie at 21:32 on 27th Jan 2011

I don't watch EastEnders, but I have to say, I don't know what the fuss is about. People are outraged at the plot, but let me tell you one thing: that's a soap. That's what soaps do. THey have all those crazy story line because people who watch it (housewives) wants to escape the ordinary. Now about that Womack actress who's complaining that the plot is "sick": why did you autiion for a soap role in the first place? Well get another job, that's it! Yes, people in the street are going to take you for your character... that's because they follow that show every single day, and that you don't have any other parts in other series/film (like most soap stars do, due to the long filming days) that people cannot remember you from something else, thus the confusion between you and your character.

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Anon at 14:57 on 14th Jan 2011

Totally agree with above... have not watched it in ages due to constant doom and gloom, tears and snot! so sick of it! I tuned in once or twice over the last few months only to turn it off seconds later as was still the same doom and gloom. Where are the giggles and fun, as someone posted above no sense of fun at all! get a new Producer or writers before it ends up in the bin (quite frankly where it belongs at present)!

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Anon at 14:51 on 14th Jan 2011

Yes they have taken it too far this time. It is heartbreaking watching Kat and Alfie.

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Elaine at 17:12 on 7th Jan 2011

I think its sad that this is what people want to see - it was put on at the wrong time of year - I like soaps for escapism and not real life - Eastenders has lost all sense of fun!!!!

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Amanda at 9:05 on 7th Jan 2011

I have 1 thing to say about this IT'S NOT REAL!!! Ok it may reflect real situations but so does murder, rape and child abuse and there isn't as much hype about that been shown on screens. This kind of stuff happens in real life if you didn't see it on tele you'd see it in the papers so it can't be avoided and I personally think Kat and Ronnie have played this storyline brilliantly. My obvious solution is if YOU DON'T LIKE IT DON'T WATCH IT!!!!.

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Anon at 9:05 on 7th Jan 2011

I can't see why all the story lines have to be so bad. I personally know of a young teenager who is now scared her baby sister will die of cot death too. Think of how you could be scarring young lives, Eastenders is on too early for this sort of thing.

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Anon at 9:04 on 7th Jan 2011

i stopped watching eastenders rcently after being an avid viewer from day 1 . its all doom n gloom . we all have enough of that in our lives

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SUSAN ANN at 16:40 on 6th Jan 2011

Its a soap not real life, if you have gone through that who in their right minds would have the opportunity to swap a baby without anyone seeing.The ratings are up and the soap will go on with or without Samantha (Ronnie)

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Jane Mckinna at 16:25 on 6th Jan 2011

I havent watched it for ages cos it just takes things too far. Yeah i know its not real life and thats whats upsetting,, people go thru real life tragedies and watch this when vulnerable and already in turmoil. Stop now and rethink BBC before you lose more viewers and actor/actresses.

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Audrey at 14:40 on 6th Jan 2011

If you decide to be an actor and want to have a job in television, want to get the opportunity to be involved in interesting and gritty storylines and be seen as an multi faceted actor then that's what you have to do. There are actors out there who have played rapists, paedophiles, murders and psychos. It can't be easy but that is why they are being paid the big bucks. She should tuck her lip in an get on with it.

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Anon at 14:40 on 6th Jan 2011

This is a truly horrible storyline and I am fed up of the scriptwriters being so cruel to the character of Ronnie.

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Jay at 14:40 on 6th Jan 2011

Dearie me ...it's a soap! Merely a reflection on life 'dramatised'....if half of you lot put as much effort into what is going on around you daily and aimed to help instead of getting into a frenzy over a drama, the world would be a better place. I have lost a child so dont think I don't know anything about it...bravo BBC for tackling this head on!!

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Karen T at 13:23 on 6th Jan 2011

I do think eastenders is going too far it's constant doom and gloom and sensationalism but carole i think your views on 'gays and lesbians' are really narrow-minded calling someone's sexuality disgusting is terrible

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carole denney at 13:19 on 6th Jan 2011

it was upsetting,especially for someone who has lost their baby and i do feel for Ronnie as she lost Danielle she's all over the place,i also feel for Kat as she never got the chance to be a proper mam to Zoey,but i have seen worse,theres gays and lesbians in hollyoaks before the 9'clock watershed,even my 7 yr old boy says its disgusting

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Audrey at 13:19 on 6th Jan 2011

I think they have taken it to sar this time, its a subject that touches everyone when a baby dies, and for the parents its so painful full, its not something that happens over a couple of days the grief of a baby who dies can last for ever and then the 2nd part swapping,the baby is unthinksble. how do the actors cope with this , the part must be hard but you know what You don't know how you will feel or act until it happens to you. I think it could be an awful impact for first time mums, parents who have lost babies, then family and friends who will feel it. BBC stop it now, you have gone to far, change the storyline, you may well find that you have lost some viewers and just the last thing. BBC will have bought in people who know about bereavement counselling. sorry about my spelling mistakes

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nadia harvey at 13:06 on 6th Jan 2011

The BBc ( Eastenders) is into sensionalism and has no longer any ethics to share nor inspire people with being or making a positive contribution to society in fact torylines glamourise crime and appaling behaviours - anything goes including getting away with murder, arson, child abuse etc.... Shame on the BBC

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Deborah Prior at 13:06 on 6th Jan 2011

I haven't watched East Enders since Den and Angie were around. Sounds like I made a good decision.

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Jean Graham at 11:58 on 6th Jan 2011

Dreadful. very disturbing cant comprehend that these actors/actress's have even gone along with the storyline. Surely in real life someone must by now realise there is something wrong in the Branning household they havn't even had a visit from the health visitor/midwife yet

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