EastEnders (lost scrapped "baby swap" scenes, scripts and storyboards of BBC soap opera; 2010-2011)

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In among EastEnders' saddest and most controversial moments, Ronnie Branning holds her deceased baby James and looks over a sleeping Tommy, contemplating whether to commence a baby swap.

Status: Lost

Between December 2010 to July 2011, a controversial and highly emotional storyline of the BBC's long-running soap opera EastEnders commenced. It featured the character Ronnie Branning losing her newborn baby James to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In a desperate situation and without thinking rationally, Ronnie swaps her deceased son for Kat Moon's baby Tommy, triggering a series of events that eventually leads to her confession and Moon reuniting with her son. Aside from being an especially traumatic storyline for the actors involved, it also prompted more than 14,000 complaints to the BBC and communications regulator Ofcom, particularly over the negative and heavily unrealistic portrayal of a grieving mother. Because of the backlash, the BBC announced it would prematurely end the storyline and remove several scenes deemed too upsetting for the general audience. The full scripts, storyboards and deleted "baby swap" scenes have never been publicly released.

Background

Since its inception in 1985, EastEnders has not shied away from tackling taboo subject matters.[1] For example, Mark Fowler historically became the first mainstream soap drama character to test positive for HIV, in an ongoing narrative that was highly acclaimed and may well have influenced how British society treated those living with the virus.[2][3] Similarly, Ronnie Mitchell (portrayed by Samantha Womack) is featured in several traumatic narratives. At only 14, she gave birth to Danielle, whom she was forced to give up for adoption by her abusive father Archie.[4] Having been convinced by Archie that Danielle is dead, Ronnie initially refuses to believe her now 19-year-old daughter when the latter reveals all at Archie's latest wedding in 2009.[5][4] But just as Ronnie realises the truth and desires to embrace Danielle, the latter is tragically run over and passes away in front of her mother.[4][5]

The ordeal naturally devastated Ronnie.[4] She experienced further trauma after she suffered a miscarriage that very same year.[6] But a year following these events, Ronnie happily discovers she is pregnant with a baby boy, fathered by her soon-to-be-husband Jack Branning (Scott Maslen).[7] During this time, Ronnie begins a friendship with Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace), who is also expecting a new son and wedding with Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).[8][9] Both mothers would give birth at the end of 2010.[10] However, a sequence of horrific events would emerge in the next few months, which would considerably alter their lives.[11]

The Baby Swap Storyline

In the months leading to December 2010, EastEnders teased that Ronnie and Kat's seemingly rosy futures would be anything but.[11] On 11th November 2010, the BBC announced that not only would Ronnie lose her baby to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) but she would also commit a seemingly unforgivable crime during her initial grief.[12][11] The storyline began on New Year's Eve 2010 with Ronnie discovering James passed away in his cot.[13][11][12] What triggers SIDS has not yet been fully explained according to the NHS.[14] It is, however, believed to be exceptionally uncommon in Britain, with approximately 200 infants six months or younger typically passing away annually from cot death.[14] In November 2010, the statistic stood at about 300 deaths, which indicates SIDS is becoming a rarer phenomenon as the decades pass.[12][14]

Before this, Kat is recovering in bed when she and her husband Alfie learn she has suffered a haemorrhage. She is rushed to the hospital, with Alfie leaving Tommy in the care of Kat's father Charlie at the Queen Vic. But as New Year celebrations commence within the pub, a frantic Ronnie enters via a back door, having been unable to seek any immediate support. Suddenly, she hears Tommy's cries and carefully walks upstairs to the bedroom without attracting any attention. Just as the residents count down the New Year, Ronnie tearfully declares that Tommy is her boy and proceeds to swap the babies.[13][11] She returns home with Tommy, with Queen Vic customers again none the wiser.[15]

Soon afterwards, Ronnie deeply regrets her decision.[15] But ultimately, it is too late to amend things; Alfie discovers "Tommy" lifeless in bed.[15] While Kat is initially sceptical, believing the baby is not Tommy, she is ultimately convinced by Alfie much to her devastation.[16][17] Elsewhere, weight and club foot discrepancies with "James" are spotted by Ronnie's assigned midwife, but this does not raise enough suspicion to prompt an investigation.[17] For the time being, Ronnie's terrible secret remains exclusively with her, with Jack delighted to be the boy's "father".[16] Her chance to come clean and say goodbye to her actual son is denied by Kat despite Alfie's objections, the former having demanded the funeral be conducted with only a few family members and without any "hangers-on" people present.[18] She also angrily refuses to let her father attend the funeral.[18] Charlie notably ended up in a drunken stupor during the New Year's celebrations, thus failing to monitor Tommy's wellbeing.[13][15] Consequently, Kat blamed her father for "Tommy"'s unexpected death.[18]

Following the funeral, an increasingly desperate Ronnie enters the Queen Vic and attempts to explain to the grieving couple that their son is actually alive.[19] However, her decision to give the baby to Kat only serves to devastate the latter, preventing the truth from coming out.[20][19] Jack also becomes confused and frustrated with his wife's overly erratic behaviour and demands she seek support.[20][19] Worse still, Ronnie's actions trigger the collapse of Kat's relationship with her father, the latter consequently deciding to leave Watford to allow space between them during this difficult time.[21][20] Kat's marriage is also severely strained, with her having revealed to Ronnie and Alfie's cousin Michael that following an affair, Michael was actually Tommy's biological father.[22] In a moment of desperation following a failed attempt to reconnect with Alfie, Kat passionately kisses Michael and reveals she wants a proper relationship with him. However, with Tommy having passed away, Michael sees nothing in common between them. All this occurs in front of a heartbroken Alfie.[23] The once-happy couple agree to separate following several rows.[24]

Ronnie's paranoia worsens over time, triggering a breakdown at the Queen Vic.[25] This prompts Jack to beg that she see a counsellor, especially as their relationship is now under threat.[25] She initially agrees to this, but backs out without Jack's knowledge at the last minute.[26] Around the same time, Kat and Alfie learn that the coroner's report on "Tommy"'s death indicates SIDS was likely the cause.[26] Without professional help, Ronnie becomes further unsettled and believes her mother Glenda is beginning to unravel the truth.[27] She therefore asks her cousin Phil Mitchell to ensure Glenda leaves for a while.[27] Ronnie also begins to separate herself from Jack.[28] Jack subsequently attempts to mend his relationship with Ronnie, but the latter remains unexplainably distant.[28]

Ronnie also begins courting Michael's attention, resulting in them kissing.[29] Upon learning this, Jack furiously demands to know what is going on with Ronnie, who insists that Michael's kiss was non-consensual but refuses to elaborate on her strange behaviour.[30] All this occurs during Tanya Branning and Greg Jessop's wedding.[30] Said wedding is cut short when after they learn about a car accident involving Tanya's former husband Max and their daughter Abi. As Ronnie visits the hospital, she spots James' original bed and finally decides to come clean on the situation. That night, she gives the baby to Kat, who becomes highly distressed and refuses to believe Ronnie's explanation of events. The incident also triggers a furious row between Alfie and Jack, the latter demanding his "son" back. He begins to realise all was not as it seemed after Ronnie turns herself in to the police.[31][11] After finally learning the terrible truth, a destroyed Jack says goodbye to Tommy and places him in the care of social services. Initially, Kat refuses to conduct a mandatory interview with social services but later changes her mind, allowing her and Alfie to finally be in custody of Tommy again.[32]

On the 7th July 2011 episode, Ronnie is due to be sentenced. During Ronnie's final day of freedom for the foreseeable future, Michael attempts to frame her for a second kidnapping of Tommy. This leads to a final confrontation between Ronnie and Kat, the latter slapping her former friend, and, in a fit of rage, claims Ronnie is fortunate to still be alive. Kat, Jack and Ronnie's sister Roxy soon discover Michael orchestrated this as revenge for Ronnie not reciprocating his feelings towards her. An outraged Jack punches Michael before he and Roxy attempt to prevent Ronnie's day of justice. However, even though Kat eventually forgives Ronnie in court and insists she should avoid imprisonment, the latter accepts her fate. Ronnie is sentenced to three years behind bars, allowing justice to be served and granting her the time needed to mend her conscience.[33] The move reflected Womack's decision to leave EastEnders, though she ultimately returned in September 2013.[34][35][11] Following her early release, Ronnie meets up with Kat.[36][35] They discuss the strange events during the former's incarceration and attempt to repair their fractured relationship.[36]

Controversy, Deleted Scenes and Condensed Ending

During scripting and filming for the storyline, EastEnders higher-ups anticipated the portrayal of SIDS and the characters' reaction to it would require delicate handling.[11] Filming was an emotionally taxing affair; some actors reportedly broke down and required extensive time-out to complete their scenes.[37] Hence, counselling was allegedly provided to affected talent.[37] Womack and Richie both admitted that the storyline had personally affected them.[38][11] Some scriptwriters also allegedly refused to work on the storyline.[38] Still, EastEnders held a remit for tackling difficult subject matter and a storyline about SIDS certainly fit that scope.[11][1] Upon learning of the planned storyline, the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID, now the Lullaby Trust) initially praised the show.[12] Particularly, its director, Joyce Epstein, claimed that the storyline could promote public awareness of SIDS provided it accurately reflected those affected by its devastating impact.[12] FSID later claimed it provided consultancy regarding the condition and professional involvement, but did not influence the storyline itself.[38] Meanwhile, the BBC claimed that FSID also enabled contact between the broadcaster and parents victimised by cot death, the storyline having attracted a generally positive reaction before it went to air.[39]

Before airing the first two episodes on New Year's Eve 2010 and New Year's Day 2011, EastEnders producers opted to conduct a test screening.[40] It soon became apparent that certain scenes would require alteration, having been declared too upsetting for a general audience.[40][38][11] Three scenes were supposedly toned down; the first came when Ronnie discovers James has passed away in his cot.[40][38][13] The devastated mother gently held James' lifeless, cold hand, in a scene that was completely removed in the final cut.[40][38] EastEnders additionally self-censored Kat's haemorrhage after the original recording was declared too graphic to show on pre-watershed television.[40][38] The extent of blood can be briefly seen at around the 12:45 mark.[13] Finally, Tommy's cries as Ronnie entered the Queen Vic were quietened.[40][13] According to the show's executive producer Bryan Kirkwood and an EastEnders insider, the scenes' alteration had no real effect on the storyline and were conducted to avoid provoking needless controversy.[40]

The New Year's Eve episode attracted 7.3 million, down from the 9.65 million for the 30th December episode and the 8.67 million the previous Eve special obtained.[41][11] Meanwhile, the New Year's Day episode attracted 8.95 million, down from 11.6 million the year before.[42][11] By 4th January, the story was already becoming a heat magnet, provoking over 3,400 complaints to the BBC.[11] Two days later, it had almost surpassed the 6,000 mark.[38][11] Communications regulator Ofcom received around 1,044 complaints; after initially denying reports that it would open an investigation into the storyline, a full adjudication would be published on 1st August 2011.[39][11]

There were two main criticisms against the storyline: some critics, like Boyd Hilton of Heat, believed the date of the broadcast was completely wrong, having commenced in a period where families are most likely to be concerned about their kin.[38] But the main outrage was centred on Ronnie's character throughout the storyline.[39][38][11] While studies such as from Richard D Goldstein determined parents were more likely to be guilt-ridden and isolate themselves than those who have never experienced the ordeal, the point stands that kidnappings from grieving parents are exceptionally rare.[43][38][11] Ronnie's actions were lambasted as being heavily inaccurate leading to concerns it was representing devasted mothers as "mad baby snatchers".[44] It also prompted a further statement by FSID, who also heavily criticised the "baby swap" and distanced themselves from the overall storyline.[45][38] Birmingham Mail's Roz Laws deemed the storyline was ludicrous, criticising the show for putting Ronnie in another tragic narrative and for questioning Kat's intelligence for not being able to identify her son.[46]

By 7th January 2011, the baby swap had surpassed the record number of complaints for an EastEnders storyline, which ironically went to Danielle's fatal car accident at around the 7,000 figure.[47][11] Amidst the backlash, it was announced on 6th January that the storyline would undergo drastic changes.[48][38][11] For the funeral scenes, which aired on 11th January, a scene featuring Kat carrying her "baby" in the coffin was removed, though a publicly shot was used to advertise the episode.[49][48][19] Further Kat and Alfie scenes were removed, including the poignant moment when Kat places her son's toy lion into the coffin.[48] The following episode, televised on 13th January, saw a scene removed depicting Ronnie speaking to James at his grave, the monologue having also been used to promote the programme.[48][49][21] Filler scenes were hastily inserted, such as the sudden debut of Poppy Meadow.[48] These hastily recorded scenes received derision from EastEnders fans for being pointless and had fragmented the funeral segments.[48][11]

Despite the unending controversies, the baby swap storyline was a ratings success.[50][51] Some of its episodes reached over 11 million viewers, considerably more than the show's 9 million average.[50][51] However, in the wake of seemingly never-ending media and fan scorn, a top-level meeting was conducted at BBC offices.[50][38][11] A consensus formed that the storyline would wrap up in Easter instead of the following Christmas.[50][38] One insider for the Independent claimed production for the now-condensed storyline resulted in crew members having "torn up" unused scripts and storyboards.[50] The changes also likely accommodated Womack's first departure from the show.[34] Speculation from tabloid The Sun alleged her exit centred entirely on the baby swap saga.[52][34][11] This gained legs when Womack expressed to Inside Soap the harrowing nature of filming the relevant scenes with a realistic silicone doll, describing the ordeal as "the most horrific four weeks of my life".[53][34] The Sun's claims were denied by BBC executives and Womack's agent.[34] However, in a 2013 interview with the Daily Mail, Womack stated she had felt burnt out acting in several emotionally charged storylines over four years, having also been uncomfortable with the intertwining of a deceased baby and subsequent kidnapping for her character's then-final narrative.[54] Worse still, Womack also received horrific verbal abuse on the streets from angered fans, which further motivated her decision to leave.[55][54]

By the time Ofcom published its full investigation, over 14,000 complaints had been sent to it and the BBC.[56] Its adjudication considered whether the storyline violated Rule 2.3 of the Broadcasting Code, namely how it handled the transmission of potentially offensive material, especially prior to the 9 pm watershed.[39] In its decision, it accepted Ronnie's actions were extreme, but that EastEnders had always intended to deviate from the typical behaviour of a grieving mother. Ofcom cited that Ronnie had recently experienced several other traumatic events, including the deaths of her previous children and learning the full extent of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father.[4][6] Thus, it determined that Ronnie's decision was the product of "extreme personal trauma" rather than based exclusively on James' passing. It declared that the show had provided the mandatory editorial context for this storyline and that it was not too dissimilar to other taboo subjects EastEnders had previously covered.[1] It was also satisfied the scenes had been carefully handled to avoid being overly graphic or traumatising. Finally, it noted the storyline had received extensive promotion, giving viewers ample warning of its context. Thus, it ruled the show had not breached the Broadcasting Code.[39][56]

The storyline was defended by BBC's controller of drama production John Yorke;[57] BBC Vision director Jana Bennett;[58] as well as by Kirkwood, Wallace and Richie.[59][60][61][11] Their general rationale reflected Ofcom's findings; that is, EastEnders would select and aim to appropriately handle sensitive topics, and that Ronnie's actions were never planned to replicate how a mother would usually react to SIDS.[11][58][57] Richie also denied claims of a highly emotional filming atmosphere, insisting in an interview with The People that "the cast really enjoyed filming the scenes" and had backed each other up when things got challenging.[61] Meanwhile, Kirkwood rubbished claims the storyline lacked believability.[59] He insisted the scripts reflected the show's extensive research on SIDS, including via FSID and a maternity nurse's consultancy.[59] Kirkwood declared he was "very proud" of the final product.[59] Nevertheless, he and other EastEnders officials conducted a meeting with people offended over the storyline, with Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts noting most attendees were likely mothers who had faced the heartbreak SIDS causes.[62]

Despite the sheer number of complaints, the baby swap storyline was a ratings success for EastEnders.[50][51] Even episodes following Ronnie's arrest drew significantly above the show's average audience.[51] It also enabled the show to win three accolades at the 2011 All About Soap Bubble Awards. The storyline itself won the "Best Baby Drama" award. Meanwhile, Wallace was declared the "Best Actress", with her and Richie having also earned the "Best Comeback" award.[63] In a 2015 OnePoll survey, the baby swap was declared the 20th greatest British soap storyline.[64] Even so, the storyline's disturbing subject matter and its major backlash from the media, fans and SIDS support groups has made it among the darkest and most controversial soap opera narratives.[65][1]

Availability

At least six scenes, including from the New Year's Eve and funeral episodes, were either altered or entirely scrapped to avoid causing needless harm.[40][11] Of the altered Eve scenes, Kat's blood-filled pyjamas can briefly be seen at around 12:45 in the episode, while Tommy's cries near the episode's conclusion were kept in a slightly muted form.[13][40] The scene featuring Ronnie touching James' hand was completely removed.[40] Considering these changes were made even before the resulting backlash,[11] the original episode seen before a test audience is unlikely to be publicly released.[40] The cut funeral segments were the result of EastEnders toning down the storyline.[48][49][11] Of these, a publicity photograph of Kat carrying the coffin and a BBC synopsis of Ronnie at the grave are publicly available, but no photos have surfaced showing Kat placing Tommy's toy into the coffin.[48][49] The narrative's climax was originally intended for December 2011, before EastEnders officials agreed to have the truth revealed at Easter, with Ronnie's imprisonment ultimately planned in early July.[50][38][33] It is unclear whether the Independent insider's "torn up" scripts and storyboards should be taken literally.[50] Regardless, none of the original extended plot materials has ever publicly resurfaced.[50]

Gallery

Videos

Key scenes of the storyline.

The final confrontation between Ronnie and Kat.

Ronnie is sentenced to three years behind bars.

See Also

External Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Closer summarising some of EastEnders' most controversial storylines. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  2. ↑ Terrence Higgins Trust summarising Mark Fowler being diagnosed with HIV and how it educated many on the virus. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  3. ↑ Radio Times summarising the character Mark Fowler. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Daily Mirror summarising the passing of Danielle Jones and its impact on Ronnie. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Telegraph summarising the Danielle Jones storyline and abrupt ending. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Made for Mums reporting on Ronnie suffering a miscarriage in December 2009. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  7. ↑ BBC summarising the episode where Ronnie discovers she is pregnant. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  8. ↑ Daily Mirror reporting on Kat Moon returning to the show pregnant. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  9. ↑ The Guardian summarising the double wedding episode. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  10. ↑ BBC summary of the episode where Ronnie and Kat give birth. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  11. ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 11.13 11.14 11.15 11.16 11.17 11.18 11.19 11.20 11.21 11.22 11.23 11.24 11.25 11.26 11.27 Digital Spy providing a timeline of baby swap events and controversies. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 BBC announcing the baby swap storyline. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 New Year's Eve 2010 episode of EastEnders, where Ronnie commences the baby swap. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 NHS explaining sudden infant death syndrome. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 New Year's Day 2011 episode where Alfie and Kat discover "Tommy" before Ronnie can tell the truth. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 3rd January 2011 episode where Jack begins to bond with "James" and Kat refuses to believe the deceased baby is hers. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 4th January 2011 episode where Alfie confirms the identity of "Tommy" to Kat and the midwife spotting discrepancies with "James". Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 10th January 2011 episode where Kat denies Ronnie and Charlie from attending the funeral of "Tommy". Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 11th January 2011 episode where the funeral occurs and Ronnie tries to reunite Kat with her son. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 12th January 2011 episode showing the consequences of Ronnie's erratic behaviour, and the disintegration of Kat's relationship with her father. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 13th January 2011 episode, which saw Charlie leave Watford and Ronnie visit her son's grave. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  22. ↑ 1st February 2011 episode where it is revealed Michael is Tommy's biological father. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  23. ↑ 2nd February 2011 episode where Kat and Alfie's relationship begins to disintegrate, especially as the latter catches Kat passionately kissing Michael. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  24. ↑ 10th February 2011 episode where Kat and Alfie agree to separate. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 17th February 2011 episode where Ronnie experiences a breakdown at the Queen Vic, prompting Jack to request she seeks professional help. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 18th February 2011 episode where Ronnie backs out from receiving professional help and Alfie and Kat learn of "Tommy"'s fate. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 7th March 2011 episode where Ronnie requests Phil deal with her mother Glenda, as she has become concerned her mother is getting closer to the truth. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 4th April 2011 episode where Ronnie and Jack's relationship further disintegrates. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  29. ↑ 12th April 2011 episode where Michael kisses Ronnie. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 14th April 2011 episode where Jack furiously confronts Ronnie about her alleged infidelity. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  31. ↑ 15th April 2011 episode where the truth is finally revealed. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  32. ↑ 18th April 2011 episode where Kat and Alfie finally regain custody of Tommy. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 7th July 2011 episode where Ronnie is sentenced for the baby swap. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 The Guardian reporting on Womack deciding to leave EastEnders following the baby swap storyline. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Daily Mirror reporting on and interviewing Womack about Ronnie's return to EastEnders. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 BBC summarising the 10th September 2013 episode, where Ronnie and Kat begin talking following the former's release. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Digital Spy reporting on some actors requiring counselling following breakdowns filming the required scenes. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  38. ↑ 38.00 38.01 38.02 38.03 38.04 38.05 38.06 38.07 38.08 38.09 38.10 38.11 38.12 38.13 38.14 38.15 The Guardian reporting on the alterations to the baby swap storyline following wide-scale backlash. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 39.4 Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin, Issue 187 published on 1st August 2011 (findings on p.g. 10-12). Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  40. ↑ 40.00 40.01 40.02 40.03 40.04 40.05 40.06 40.07 40.08 40.09 40.10 The Press Association reporting on scenes from the first part being altered to avoid upsetting viewers. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  41. ↑ Daily Mirror reporting on the New Year's Eve episode losing over 1.3 million viewers. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  42. ↑ The Guardian reporting on the New Year's Day 2010 EastEnders rating. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  43. ↑ "SIDS Sudden Infant and Early Childhood Death: The Past, the Present and the Future" noting the typical emotions and actions a parent affected by SIDS may undergo (published in University of Adelaide Press, May 2018). Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  44. ↑ Daily Mirror reporting on online backlash of the storyline. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  45. ↑ Digital Spy reporting on FSID's statement concerning the story's subject matter. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  46. ↑ Birmingham Mail review of the storyline. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  47. ↑ The Guardian reporting on the baby swap storyline becoming the most complained about EastEnders storyline. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 48.2 48.3 48.4 48.5 48.6 48.7 Daily Mail reporting on the changes made to the funeral scenes and the criticism it generated. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 49.3 Huffington Post reporting on cuts made to the then-upcoming funeral episodes. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 50.3 50.4 50.5 50.6 50.7 50.8 Independent reporting on the storyline being condensed for an Easter end following a backlash despite delivering strong ratings. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 51.3 Digital Spy reporting on the storyline's conclusion and fallout consistently drawing over 10 million. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  52. ↑ Archived The Sun reporting on rumours Womack left EastEnders because of the storyline. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  53. ↑ Inside Soap interview with Womack concerning the emotional challenges faced in filming the scenes (found on archived Watford Web Forums). Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Daily Mail interview with Womack where she explained her motivations for originally leaving EastEnders. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  55. ↑ Marie Claire reporting on Womack receiving verbal abuse as a result of the storyline. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 The Guardian reporting on Ofcom's ruling that the storyline did not breach the Broadcasting Code. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 BBC News reporting on John Yorke's comments regarding the storyline. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 The Guardian reporting on Bennett's comments about the storyline, insisting Ronnie's actions intentionally did not reflect a typical grieving mother. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 59.2 59.3 Irish Examiner reporting on Kirkwood defending the storyline and claiming he was "very proud" of the episodes. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  60. ↑ Irish Examiner reporting on Wallace defending the storyline. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 RTE reporting on Richie defending the storyline and how the atmosphere during filming was significantly different than what was reported. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  62. ↑ Digital Spy reporting on EastEnders officials conducting a meeting with grieving mothers over the offence the storyline caused. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  63. ↑ Digital Spy reporting on the baby swap storyline enabling EastEnders to scoop up three of the 2011 All About Soap Bubble Awards. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  64. ↑ Entertainment.ie reporting on the storyline being considered the 20th greatest soap storylines. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
  65. ↑ Daily Star considering the storyline as among the darkest within the British soap opera genre. Retrieved 9th Jan '24
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