"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."

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.

Oh for ****** sake.

Rita Simons will probably leave too

I dont think she will.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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?