Executive Producer Lorraine Newman has announced her decision to leave EastEnders, it was confirmed today. Following Lorraine's decision, Dominic Treadwell-Collins will be replacing Lorraine in the role.

Lorraine Newman took over the role as Executive Producer in 2012 and during her 16 months at the helm, EastEnders has triumphed at the Baftas as well as being the most watched show on Christmas Day, with over 9 million viewers tuning in to find out Max's secret. Most recently, Lorraine has secured many of the show’s most notable characters to return this autumn, including Barbara Windsor, Michael French and Samantha Womack, as well as lining up several new and exciting characters which will see EastEnders kicking off this autumn with many explosive storylines, starting with Phil Mitchell fighting for his life after being involved in a huge car crash.

Lorraine joined EastEnders as a script secretary at the age of 19 and her passion and commitment to the show has been unrivalled. The first Executive Producer to occupy every editorial role on the show, Lorraine has played a huge part in creating some of the best loved moments in soap land.

Speaking of her decision to leave, Lorraine says: "I have loved every moment of my time at EastEnders but it is finally time to leave Walford. Over the past 23 years I have been involved in some of the best moments on British television, from ‘Who Shot Phil?’, to ‘You Ain’t My Mother!’, to the 25th Live Anniversary episode and in the past year, the Olympic Torch episode has also been a proud highlight. Over the past year, I have also had the pleasure of planning and implementing the revival of many of the EastEnders clans who should always be at the heart of the show. I am confident that I am leaving the show in a stronger place and am sure that Dominic will continue to build upon this, taking the show to a new level. I am delighted to be joining BBC Drama Production as an Executive Producer and look forward to the new opportunities and projects this will bring."