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EastEnders given all clear over”horrific” plotline

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By The Drum Team, Editorial

August 2, 2011 | 2 min read

Broadcast regulator Ofcom has given the BBC the all clear over a controversial cot death story arc in EastEnders which drew tens of thousands of complaints.

In what was one of the most controversial scripts in the shows history 14,444 fans registered their displeasure at witnessing a recently bereaved mother swapping her dead baby for another couple’s newborn.

Many regarded the scenes as “inaccurate”, “insensitive”, “horrific” and “sensationalised” prompting the BBC to curtail the story arc prematurely.

In their adjudication Ofcom ruled that the plot “would not have exceeded” viewers expectations and nor were they”unduly disturbing or graphic”.

Samantha Womack, the actor who played grieving mother Ronnie Banning, has since left the show citing the emotional trauma of acting out such a high pressure role.

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