[Scarlett.]

A hard-hitting EastEnders storyline will see Ronnie Mitchell steal Kat Moon's baby after her own child dies, it has been announced.

The new plotline begins later this year when Ronnie and Kat - played by Samantha Womack and Jessie Wallace - both give birth and begin happily adjusting to family life with their respective partners Jack and Alfie.

However, in a tragic turn of events on New Year's Eve, Ronnie will face the devastation of losing her new baby to cot death before making a desperate decision that looks likely to change life in Albert Square forever.

After rushing to the Queen Vic to seek help with her lifeless child still in her arms, Ronnie hears Kat's baby crying upstairs and secretly swaps the pair in a powerful scene.

As Ronnie leaves The Vic and returns home with Kat's child, the New Year celebrations continue inside the pub and the rest of the Square's residents have no idea of what has happened.

Speaking of the new storyline, EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood commented: "This story built on the rich history both characters have built up over the years and the story team have worked hard to make this convincing and powerful.

"Although EastEnders is a fictional drama we have, of course, taken great care to thoroughly research this storyline, which will reflect a issue close to the hearts of some of our audience. We're fortunate to have two wonderful actresses, Jessie Wallace and Samantha Womack, who understand the need to portray such an emotive subject sensitively."

He added: "Viewers will know that Ronnie has had a difficult past, losing both her daughter and father in the last couple of years. When she loses the one thing she's always wanted, she acts on impulse in a moment of sheer grief and desperation."

EastEnders' decision to tackle the issue of cot death has been praised by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID).

FSID director Joyce Epstein explained: "We are very grateful to EastEnders for their accurate depiction of the devastating effect that the sudden death of an infant can have on a family. We hope that this story will help raise the public's awareness of cot death, which claims 300 babies' lives each year."

[BB_Eye]

Kat should just give Ronnie her baby out of pity. One vomit dispenser in the Slater household is enough I think.

Plus... another baby kidnapping in EastEnders. Remind me never to move to Walford if I have children.

[Iceman]

She's never gonna be happy........(also an anyone imagine in like 17 years time this little slut strolls up to Kat and gives her an earful and it plays like this....

Kat: You ain't my daughter.
Spawn Of Kat: Yes I am.

Too similar storylines for my liking.

[Niamh.]

Oh Fgs, EastEnders is so depressing, can they not give poor Ronnie a break, an odd smiling face on the square every once in a while wouldn't go astray

[BB_Eye]

Originally Posted by Niamhxo

Oh Fgs, EastEnders is so depressing, can they not give poor Ronnie a break, an odd smiling face on the square every once in a while wouldn't go astray

The point of EastEnders is that everybody screams, smashes plates, sets pubs on fire, succumbs to crack addictions that last a fortnight and steals children in order to serve up "hard-hitting drama".

I had to cringe when a Daily Mirror hack praised Lindsey Coulson's performance (as Carol Jackson) in the pathetically mawkish, seen-it-all-before storyline on the death of Billie as 'heart-rending'. As if only a distinguished actor were capable of pacing back and forth and biting their nails with no make-up on. Give the girl a BAFTA.

I thought everybody agreed soaps are intentionally over-the-top trash TV, but apparently there are even "journalists" that take them seriously. No wonder Britain has some of the worst TV on Earth.

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by BB_Eye

The point of EastEnders is that everybody screams, smashes plates, sets pubs on fire, succumbs to crack addictions that last a fortnight and steals children in order to serve up "hard-hitting drama".

I had to cringe when a Daily Mirror hack praised Lindsey Coulson's performance (as Carol Jackson) in the pathetically mawkish, seen-it-all-before storyline on the death of Billie as 'heart-rending'. As if only a distinguished actor were capable of pacing back and forth and biting their nails with no make-up on. Give the girl a BAFTA.

I thought everybody agreed soaps are intentionally over-the-top trash TV, but apparently there are even "journalists" that take them seriously. No wonder Britain has some of the worst TV on Earth.

I take it you haven't seen much American TV

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by BB_Eye

The point of EastEnders is that everybody screams, smashes plates, sets pubs on fire, succumbs to crack addictions that last a fortnight and steals children in order to serve up "hard-hitting drama".

I had to cringe when a Daily Mirror hack praised Lindsey Coulson's performance (as Carol Jackson) in the pathetically mawkish, seen-it-all-before storyline on the death of Billie as 'heart-rending'. As if only a distinguished actor were capable of pacing back and forth and biting their nails with no make-up on. Give the girl a BAFTA.

I thought everybody agreed soaps are intentionally over-the-top trash TV, but apparently there are even "journalists" that take them seriously. No wonder Britain has some of the worst TV on Earth.

I know, it's just Eastenders in particular is always gloomy, at least with Corrie alot of it is light hearted so the serious storylines don't seem so heavy and depressing, it feels a bit more balanced.

[Barbie]

Stupid idea IMO give Ronnie a break they are making her really unlikeable.

Once again i have to say i don't like Bryan Kirkwood!!

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by BB_Eye

The point of EastEnders is that everybody screams, smashes plates, sets pubs on fire, succumbs to crack addictions that last a fortnight and steals children in order to serve up "hard-hitting drama".

I had to cringe when a Daily Mirror hack praised Lindsey Coulson's performance (as Carol Jackson) in the pathetically mawkish, seen-it-all-before storyline on the death of Billie as 'heart-rending'. As if only a distinguished actor were capable of pacing back and forth and biting their nails with no make-up on. Give the girl a BAFTA.

I thought everybody agreed soaps are intentionally over-the-top trash TV, but apparently there are even "journalists" that take them seriously. No wonder Britain has some of the worst TV on Earth.

I disagree vehemently. The UK has amazing TV programs. We rarely have the budget of US TV shows but our dramas are renowned throughout the world.

[flamingGalah!]

This is ridiculous... You just knew it would be Ronnie's baby that was to die when we first heard about a baby death weeks ago... I mean FFS how far do they really want to push her?!? No doubt she will eventually top herself... nice.

I really do wonder sometimes what goes on in the minds of the EastEnders script writers/story planners... must be a really cheery bunch...

I'm surprised they didn't plan this for Xmas Day, a bit of extra festive cheer

[bbfan1991]

I love EE but not pleased there is more gloom for poor Ronnie, why can't they just let her be happy for once?. This will probably lead to Samantha Womack perhaps leaving as there have always been rumours that this would happen and that they've had a plan for the character.

[Legend killer]

Eastenders has to be the most depressing program in history , FFS no one is ever happy in it. The new producer was much better at hollyoakes

[Smithy]

Oh lord :/

I swear I haven't seen an episode of Eastenders where someone ISNT crying

[Visage]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Oh lord :/

I swear I haven't seen an episode of Eastenders where someone ISNT crying

Or shouting at someone else.

[Mr XcX]

I hate Eastenders!!!

[Smithy]

I also imagine this was what Shayne Ritchie was talking about when he said it was the biggest plot in soap, Christ he didn't half exaggerate

[Visage]

I wonder if every actor who auditions for a part in the show must provide real tears and the ability to scream like they had just lost a loved one.


Pull that off & they've got the job !

[Visage]

Originally Posted by Smithy

I also imagine this was what Shayne Ritchie was talking about when he said it was the biggest plot in soap, Christ he didn't half exaggerate

Yeah, because no other soap has never had a baby swap before.........

Oh wait on.....

[bbfan1991]

Theres been rumours that Sam Womack will be leaving at the end of this storyline, however I hope they are not true because I really like Ronnie.

[Jords]

OH MY ****ING GOD.

That really is a whopping storyline, hmmm Im not happy that Ronnie is given another sad storyline but they did say they never want her character to be happy too long.

[Stacey.]

Ronnie needs to be happy for once

[Kerry]

Hate this storyline. Obsolutely ridiculous

[Saph]

I wish they would just kill Ronnie off. I hate her acting and she's just so depressing to watch! I hope Kat finds out what she did and kills her

[Patrick]

Why can't Ronnie just ******ing kill herself already?

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by SaphLiike

I wish they would just kill Ronnie off. I hate her acting and she's just so depressing to watch! I hope Kat finds out what she did and kills her

I like your thinking.