Sam Womack quits Eastenders

[Visage]

Link (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/3333423/Samantha-Womack-quits-EastEnders-over-cot-death.html)


EASTENDERS star Samantha Womack has quit the show over its heavily-criticised cot death storyline.
Sam, 38, was horrified by heartbreaking scenes in the BBC1 soap where her character Ronnie Branning lost her baby James - then swapped him for Kat Moon's newborn lad Tommy.

Samantha decided to quit EastEnders after viewing its shock cot death storyline "as a mother first and an actress second", it emerged last night.

[Locke.]

Great news

[Iceman]

:shocked:

[Kerry]

Glad someone took a stand. Ridiculous story

[bbfan1991]

:( I'm gonna miss Sam and Ronnie on the show.

[Kerry]

:( I'm gonna miss Sam and Ronnie on the show.

She never smiled though.

Mind you, does anyone on that square.....

[Stu]

I only dip into EastEnders every now and then but unfortunately I did manage to catch that episode and it was just soul destroying stuff.

Stupid bloody storyline. The current crew of writers need to make us care for the characters and feel their joy. Not just lampoon the viewer with one devestation after another.

It was a step too far.

[Iceman]

"A spokesperson for the show has yet to confirm the report."

[bbfan1991]

Glad someone took a stand. Ridiculous story

Tbh I don't actually believe it was just over that storyline, there were rumours before that she would quit once her current contract was over because it's obvious that playing Ronnie is exhausting and think she wants to spend more time with family, do other roles etc.

It's safe for Maggie O'Neill to come back now as Suzy because her and Sam had a big bust up and disliked each other:blush:.

['Conor]

i never saw that episode? what was it like?

[seanraff07]

Good, the storyline was ridiculous, depressing and far too unrealistic.

Corrie pisses all over Eastenders at the moment.

[Iceman]

I only dip into EastEnders every now and then but unfortunately I did manage to catch that episode and it was just soul destroying stuff.

Stupid bloody storyline. The current crew of writers need to make us care for the characters and feel their joy. Not just lampoon the viewer with one devestation after another.

It was a step too far.

Have to say i tried defending this the other day and couldnt it was just too much, I mean the scenes were very harsh for pre watershed stuff....I know quite a few people who have turned off....

[Jordan.]

Bet they are kicking themselves over this story now. Thousands of complaints and now they've lost a great actress and a main character.

[Kerry]

EE has always been far fetched but no... not this. Stupid stupid stupid

[bbfan1991]

Have to say i tried defending this the other day and couldnt it was just too much, I mean the scenes were very harsh for pre watershed stuff....I know quite a few people who have turned off....

The complaints are so far near 4,000 and not near the 9-10 million viewers EE gets, yes fair enough people are entitled to complain but OFCOM can't do anything because it's been aired and can't just force them to scrap the storyline as if it didn't happen. Some of those people might still be watching tbh...

[Patrick]

Surely the ******ing stupid bint knew what she was doing when she filmed the scenes?

Jesus Christ. I hate this woman so much.
I remember like 2 years ago, well just after Daniella died, Sam Womack called me pathetic and was like 'Don't you have anything else to do?' and it was all because I left a 'rude' comment on the website about Ronnie :rolleyes:


Her head is up her own arse.

And you people who complain about the storyline, ****** off and don't watch it.

Anyway, I can't tell you how glad I am she's gone.
Hopefully she'll kill herself, Ronnie I mean not the actress.. I don't hate her that much.

But I mean if she quit, realisticly she isn't coming back and the only option would be to kill her off.

Murder wouldn't fit, actually Kat could do it because she has reason but after all the bollocks Ronnie has had, it'd be fitting if she just jumped off the bridge Andy Hunter was pushed off.

[Kerry]

She was still under contract Patrick. It's not as simple as that

[Ramsay]

No surprise there

[Iceman]

The complaints are so far near 4,000 and not near the 9-10 million viewers EE gets, yes fair enough people are entitled to complain but OFCOM can't do anything because it's been aired and can't just force them to scrap the storyline as if it didn't happen. Some of those people might still be watching tbh...

I'm not saying that the complaints will have any affect on the show, just that the storyline was too harsh....I mean a woman who has lost her daughter, miscarried then lost a baby to cot death all in what 18 months? She loses her baby to cot death then just spur of the moment decies to snatch another baby......

[Stacey.]

Omfg D:

It's a good storyline actually though...

[Patrick]

She was still under contract Patrick. It's not as simple as that

And?

She's still under contract now but still quit.

Here it is in a simple form:

She filmed the scenes without a problem, seen the massive blacklash the storyline got and sh*t herself so quit the show.

[Kerry]

Didn't she have two miscarriages? (at least) all in the space of about 3 weeks. I thought that was crazy enough.... how often does she flippin' ovulate?!

[Patrick]

EE has always been far fetched but no... not this. Stupid stupid stupid

Don't watch then.

[Stu]

And?

She's still under contract now but still quit.

Here it is in a simple form:

She filmed the scenes without a problem, seen the massive blacklash the storyline got and sh*t herself so quit the show.
Read the link you idiot. She planned to leave as early as November. You cannot just walk out of a job. She would have been sued for lord knows how much by the BBC for breach of contract. She planned to leave as soon as she could, if this story is to be believed, and that is exactly what she is doing.

[Patrick]

Read the link you idiot. She planned to leave as early as November. You cannot just walk out of a job. She would have been sued for lord knows how much by the BBC for breach of contract. She planned to leave as soon as she could, if this story is to be believed, and that is exactly what she is doing.

Fair Dos.

[bbfan1991]

I'm not saying that the complaints will have any affect on the show, just that the storyline was too harsh....I mean a woman who has lost her daughter, miscarried then lost a baby to cot death all in what 18 months? She loses her baby to cot death then just spur of the moment decies to snatch another baby......

Ronnie has always been disturbed, mentally ill I mean the producers haven't allowed her to be happy, there was the Archie/Danielle thing and then the business with Jack getting Roxy pregnant, Penny/Richard.

I can understand that she's erratic and has done something on the spur of the moment without thinking of the consequences, she did try to put him back but by then it was too late and she hasn't exactly bonded with Kat's baby either. The storyline is meant to be about Ronnie's desire to have a child and how that keeps being taken away from her...

[Kerry]

And?

She's still under contract now but still quit.

Here it is in a simple form:

She filmed the scenes without a problem, seen the massive blacklash the storyline got and sh*t herself so quit the show.

My eyes can see your text just as well without the bold

[Patrick]

"A spokesperson for the show has yet to confirm the report."

Well she better hurry up so we can celebrate without worrying it's fake.

[Locke.]

Don't see the problem really, far worse things have been aired on TV before.

It is a crap storyline though, only reason I really watch the show these days is for Alfie's classic one liners, but he isn't going to have many while his new born son has just died.

[Patrick]

My eyes can see your text just as well without the bold

You forgot your full stop.
x

[Iceman]

Ronnie has always been disturbed, mentally ill I mean the producers haven't allowed her to be happy, there was the Archie/Danielle thing and then the business with Jack getting Roxy pregnant, Penny/Richard.

I can understand that she's erratic and has done something on the spur of the moment without thinking of the consequences, she did try to put him back but by then it was too late and she hasn't exactly bonded with Kat's baby either. The storyline is meant to be about Ronnie's desire to have a child and how that keeps being taken away from her...

I know what they are trying to portray but it just didnt come off as they had hoped, they **** themselves last minute and changed scenes. It was just too much to have her go through. I also completely understand why she's leaving I'm glad (if what we're told is true) that she mae the decision when she read it.

[Kerry]

You forgot your full stop.
x

Doesn't need one if theres no following sentence

[Patrick]

Don't see the problem really, far worse things have been aired on TV before.

It is a crap storyline though, only reason I really watch the show these days is for Alfie's classic one liners, but he isn't going to have many while his new born son has just died.

Ikr!

I hope Jack just turns up at the pub and says, 'hey alfie here's tommy he didn't really die lol' and gives him Tommy back so Alfie can start cracking out the one liners again.

[Patrick]

Doesn't need one if theres no following sentence

It was the end of what you wrote, you need a full stop.

[Stu]

Doesn't need one if theres no following sentence
:shocked:

[bbfan1991]

I really don't think it's just over this storyline because she was rumoured to be quitting before, I mean the way they got rid of Maggie O'Neill was fishy because she had a big argument with Sam Womack and who's the bigger star? Sam so Maggie went but Diane Parish who plays Diane was close friends with Maggie so defended her and Sam didn't like it but apparently Robert Kazinsky defended Sam so from that point Sam and Diane didn't like each other which explains why Ronnie and Denise never had a scene together..

This all was in the NOTW before:blush:.

[Iceman]

Well she better hurry up so we can celebrate without worrying it's fake.

But she's one of the best actress' on the show at the minute, they just messed everything up with this story.....

[Novo]

What actually is the storyline?

[Kerry]

It was the end of what you wrote, you need a full stop.

OK Chuck

[Patrick]

Ronnie has always been disturbed, mentally ill I mean the producers haven't allowed her to be happy, there was the Archie/Danielle thing and then the business with Jack getting Roxy pregnant, Penny/Richard.



..Who?

[Stephanie]

..Who?
jack's children.

[Patrick]

What actually is the storyline?

Kat and Ronnie had a baby on the same day.

Ronnie's baby died the next day.

Ronnie sneaks over to the Queen Vic and swapped the babies around so Kat and Alfie got the dead baby.

Kat and Alfie think their son is dead and everyone think's Ronnie's is alive.

That's basically it really.

[Kerry]

:shocked:

Actually, I can't remember the actual rule, nor give a toss. But was told in school at one point once. Sometime....

Might have been asleep....

[Patrick]

jack's children.

I didn't know he had a son called Richard :shocked:

[Iceman]

What actually is the storyline?

Ronnie and Kat both had thri babies on the same day, Ronnies died, she went to the Vic for help and then just decided to steal kat's. wanted to give it back was too late. Now she cant bond with the baby naturally (like breastfeeing and things)

[bbfan1991]

I know what they are trying to portray but it just didnt come off as they had hoped, they **** themselves last minute and changed scenes. It was just too much to have her go through. I also completely understand why she's leaving I'm glad (if what we're told is true) that she mae the decision when she read it.

Then if she had already made a decision to quit why say in an interview that she loves it there and wants to stay?, wouldn't you just confirm the decision to leave if as reported she decided to leave in November.

[Locke.]

Actually, I can't remember the actual rule, nor give a toss. But was told in school at one point once. Sometime....

Might have been asleep....

Must have been

[Iceman]

Then if she had already made a decision to quit why say in an interview that she loves it there and wants to stay?, wouldn't you just confirm the decision to leave if as reported she decided to leave in November.

Because she's still under contract, they wouldnt want that coming out the same time they announce one of their most controversial plots...

[Kerry]

I didn't know he had a son called Richard :shocked:

You need a full stop

[Patrick]

Corrie pisses all over Eastenders at the moment.

:joker::joker::joker:

Why? Because EastEnders isn't afraid to take risks and doesn't give a ****** about complaints?

What's Corrie got going for it?

The Tram Crash was forgotten within a week, Charlotte's parents are still stalking John as if he's a saint, Tracey is back on the street - Wooah! Biggest Bitch in Soap Land [have you meet janine butcher?] and, what else is happening?

Oh and... there's two hot teenaged Lesbians.....


Yeah you're right Corrie does piss over EastEnders at the moment, for that reason.

[Novo]

Is that all?.. seems like a pretty good storyline if she kept it quiet for a bit

[Patrick]

You need a full stop

Fair enough.

So do you by the way. :xyxwave:

[Kerry]

Fair enough.

So do you by the way. :xyxwave:

Nah. I'll type as I type :)

[Iceman]

Is that all?.. seems like a pretty good storyline if she kept it quiet for a bit

It was supposed to go on for a while, not so sure now....

[Stephanie]

Is that all?.. seems like a pretty good storyline if she kept it quiet for a bit
it is a good story line, it's just stupid people overreacting :bored:

[Iceman]

Fair enough.

So do you by the way. :xyxwave:

Patrick c'mon, you giving advice on punctuation?? :laugh2:

[Stu]

This thread is now officially pedantic and ****.

Please make your way to the nearest emergency exit points.

[bbfan1991]

I know Rita Simons is happy at Eastenders but if this is true (best to wait for a BBC source) then I could potentially see her going too because her and Sam are really close off screen too, that would mean Rob K coming back for her exit like he said he would:p.

[Kerry]

I hope it doesn't go on for long. I want Kat back with her baby

[Locke.]

I know Rita Simons is happy at Eastenders but if this is true (best to wait for a BBC source) then I could potentially see her going too because her and Sam are really close off screen too, that would mean Rob K coming back for her exit like he said he would:p.

He is in the new Lord of the Rings, won't have time to act on a soap.

[bbfan1991]

PARTY AT KIM FOX'S, you're all invited!!!:D.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/images/content/characters/index/index_promo_kim.jpg

[InOne]

Can see why she quit I guess. That those few episodes were hard to watch, I mean just the glum and bleakness. And the New Years ep had far too many mistakes and was just far fetched. What really pissed me off was when Kat was like "That's not my baby" And Alfie was just been paronising towards her. They must've looked at the baby loads, I mean at least Alfie, not alll babies look totally the same, they'd know which is which.

[Smithy]

Not surprised tbh, poor woman hasn't had a decent (happy) storyline for as long as I can remember

[Angus]

I'm not saying that the complaints will have any affect on the show, just that the storyline was too harsh....I mean a woman who has lost her daughter, miscarried then lost a baby to cot death all in what 18 months? She loses her baby to cot death then just spur of the moment decies to snatch another baby......

Exactly! If anything like that had happened to me the very last thing I would want is someone else's baby, and to not be screaming the place down the minute you realise your baby is dead is totally unrealistic and unbelievable - but that's soapland for you! Never mind the fact that several people saw baby Moon yet no-one noticed the dead baby was different in any way - never mind the club foot and probable different birth weights etc.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

i was like who the **** is sam womack 0_o

then i remembered sam janus got married

fail.

[bbfan1991]

At this rate due to the controversy it will turn out that James is really live and also Ronnie was dreaming all that time then leaves and Kat will have Tommy back without knowing the truth because it will all be forgotten:rolleyes:.

[flemin]

I think all the people who are complaining about this are just jumping on the bandwagon now, like they did with that whole Ross/Brand saga.

[bbfan1991]

Hardly anyone complained about Lucas going around killing people last year and all of a sudden theres this big backlash, it is upsetting to watch this storyline but in a way it's ironic:joker:.

[pinkmichk]

about time she is a awful actress even without the awful storyline she in now

[flamingGalah!]

I don't blame her... It would be really draining for her to have to constantly act out these depressing storylines, it must have some effect on her if you have been crying for hours on set every day...

Also only 4000 people have actually complained, but as I understand it they have a base rate figure (similar to the BARB viewing figures) which equates to 1 x viewer complaint = X number of unhappy viewers... But I guess EastEnders knew this would happen & they did the storyline to shock & see the show hit the headlines anyway unfortunately...

[Joe.]

Awful storyline- absolutely stupid. Sam is a fantastic actress and Eastenders have lost her due to one stupid storyline. Typical.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

about time she is a awful actress even without the awful storyline she in now

:nono:

[bbfan1991]

I don't blame her... It would be really draining for her to have to constantly act out these depressing storylines, it must have some effect on her if you have been crying for hours on set every day...

Also only 4000 people have actually complained, but as I understand it they have a base rate figure (similar to the BARB viewing figures) which equates to 1 x viewer complaint = X number of unhappy viewers... But I guess EastEnders knew this would happen & they did the storyline to shock & see the show hit the headlines anyway unfortunately...

Why would they need to do it for ratings:conf:, they consistently get high enough ratings as it is.

I agree all that depressing storylines must have had a right effect on her:shocked::(.

[Shaun]

Good on her. This storyline is just horrific...it would never happen in normal life. There's dramatic storylines and then there's morbid sensationalism.

[Jords]

The storyline is awful (in terms of morals etc.) but now its done they should do the best with it, has a lot of potential. Loved Ronnie's character, but the big mistake with her is that they 'never wanted her to be happy for too long', as said on a BBC3 spin-off. WHY?

Anyway, wish Sam the best, great actress! Too major losses to EE and Corrie today. :shocked:

[bbfan1991]

"Actress Samantha Womack's agent has denied reports that her upcoming departure from 'EastEnders' is linked to her character Ronnie Branning's highly controversial current storyline involving a cot death.

In a statement, Michael Wiggs said: "There's no truth whatsoever in any suggestion that Sam is 'quitting' 'EastEnders' over the current storyline.

"Sam's contract comes to a natural end later this year and she will be taking a break from the show; this has been agreed with the producers for several months.

"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."

John Yorke, Controller BBC Drama, said: "Sam is a much loved member of the cast, who has consistently given truthful and brilliant performances as Ronnie Branning. When she leaves at the end of this storyline, she'll be much missed; and the door will be open for her return."

The Sun claimed Womack halted filming of scenes because she was so upset about the storyline and "made it clear" to the show's bosses that she felt the plot was wrong.

The BBC has received around 3,500 complaints about the plot."

[Patrick]

Not surprised tbh, poor woman hasn't had a decent (happy) storyline for as long as I can remember

Good god,

Because it's a Soap and she plays a character with a depressing life.
I can't believe you think that's an excuse to fit and you're actually calling her a 'Poor Woman' she's a ******ing actress, and a bad one at that if she's behaving like this even though she knows what she was getting herself into.

[Patrick]

John Yorke, Controller BBC Drama, said: "Sam is a much loved member of the cast, who has consistently given truthful and brilliant performances as Ronnie Branning. When she leaves at the end of this storyline, she'll be much missed; and the door will be open for her return.





Oh for ****** sake.

[Callum]

Rita Simons will probably leave too

[Jords]

Rita Simons will probably leave too

I dont think she will.

[Patrick]

Rita Simons will probably leave too

Yeah I was thinking this but if Ronnie is returning anyways in a few months then Rita may not leave.

I love Roxy, she's far better than Ronnie because Ronnie as we all know, is a sour faced old woman who can't smile.

Whilst Roxy is the opposite.

But I can't wait for her exit [Roxy's] because Sean will return.

[bbfan1991]

Rita Simons will probably leave too

I thought that but she loves it there and maybe Sam has told her to stay?, she must be torn with her loyalties at the moment between the producers and Sam.

I think whats certain now is that they will cast a few more additions than what they had already planned...

[flamingGalah!]

Why would they need to do it for ratings:conf:, they consistently get high enough ratings as it is.

I agree all that depressing storylines must have had a right effect on her:shocked::(.

So they continue to get high ratings of course... If they were to just have boring mediocre storylines where nothing exciting happens viewers would turn off, so it is being done for big ratings, not to raise awareness about sudden infant death syndrome...

Oh for ****** sake.

Funnily enough that's what I say to myself every time I read one of your posts... I think you need anger management sessions Patrick, you come across in an extremely volatile & aggressive manner on here. Chill...

[Callum]

I don't really see how Ronnie can return, I know they say the door's being left open for a return but why? How can she live in the same place as the parents of the child she stole? This storyline is rare in that eventually Kat and Alfie will get their son back, many parents in real life have their children stolen and aren't just given them back out of the blue, how can they live in close proximity with the woman who tore their lives apart?