[Scarlett.]

EastEnders' controversial baby swap storyline will be brought to an end earlier than originally intended, it has been confirmed.

The Walford soap has sparked thousands of complaints to the BBC after screening a plot which has seen Ronnie Branning lose her child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), before switching him with Kat Moon's (Jessie Wallace) newborn son in her grief-stricken state.

Yesterday, it emerged that significant re-writes were taking place following the backlash, and subsequent reports have stated that the plot's conclusion could air as early as April.

A spokesperson has now told BBC News that the story is "due to finish earlier than planned".

Earlier this week, the BBC defended the storyline, claiming that EastEnders "has a long history of exploring difficult issues, and the storyline regarding Ronnie and Kat follows in this tradition".

The corporation's drama boss John Yorke has also insisted that the plotline does not depict Ronnie's actions as typical of a bereaved mother.

Samantha Womack - who plays Ronnie - is due to leave EastEnders later this year.

[InOne]

It was the actual swapping of the baby that got people most annoyed right? And how ridiculous it was

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by InOne

It was the actual swapping of the baby that got people most annoyed right? And how ridiculous it was

Aye

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

[Iceman]

My sister just said it coul end as early as next week???

[flamingGalah!]

Originally Posted by Iceman

My sister just said it coul end as early as next week???

How would that be possible though? They will have filmed around 3 months in advance... That's why they are saying they will conclude it in April, as it means changing the storylines/scripts they are currently filming, that is the earliest they can feasibly do it...

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by flamingGalah!

How would that be possible though? They will have filmed around 3 months in advance... That's why they are saying they will conclude it in April, as it means changing the storylines/scripts they are currently filming, that is the earliest they can feasibly do it...

Corrie had to change their baby kidnap storyline in 2007, when Madaline McCan went missing, and that was only a week before broadcast, it led to a VERY week and very much hated plot

[flamingGalah!]

Originally Posted by Chewy

Corrie had to change their baby kidnap storyline in 2007, when Madaline McCan went missing, and that was only a week before broadcast, it led to a VERY week and very much hated plot

Yeah & it also meant all other mentions had to be cut from scenes, so it was a complete mess...

I don't think EastEnders will do that though, as there isn't a similar case in real life... They will just change it at the earliest they can.

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by flamingGalah!

Yeah & it also meant all other mentions had to be cut from scenes, so it was a complete mess...

I don't think EastEnders will do that though, as there isn't a similar case in real life... They will just change it at the earliest they can.

Aye, it really messed that summer up, the original storyline sounded great too, with Ash and Claire looking for Freddie, but I think it is the storyline that ultimately lead to them being axed

[InOne]

They can easy change it with EE, Ronnie looks on the verge of cracking anyway

[Callum]

It's ending in April, no sooner.

[bbfan1991]

I was like when Mad May in her mental state tried to cut the baby out of Dawn's womb.

[BOOSH]

Ending in APRIL?
What the ****?
They can not bury that baby as Tommy Moon, when it's James.
Whoever wrote this storyline is sick.
Where do they think of these things.
I'd love to see some kittens and rainbows in EE tbh.

[InOne]

April? FFS, the last 4 eps have been bad enough!

[Jords]

Its obviously not gonna focus entirely on the baby swap up til April, its just the major storyline right now because its only just happened....