Eastenders- When does Ronnie Give Baby Tommy Back to Kat?

It has become the most controversial storyline ever in soap-land, with over 8,400 complaints from upset viewers. Second to that was when Ronnie's Daughter, Danielle died back in April 2009, just minutes after Ronnie discovered that Danielle was in fact her daughter.

This storyline received 7,000 complaints. Ronnie Mitchell/Branning has certainly had it rough since stepping foot on the square. She has been abused by her Father, made to give her baby up, told her baby had died only to find out her Daughter Danielle was alive.

Ronnie later discovered that her Daughter was living on her door step. Ronnie then fell pregnant with Owens baby only to miscarry after her Father Archie attacked her. She then found out love of her life Jack was the father of sister Roxy's baby and then accused of murdering her own father.

When it finally looked like she was going to get her well deserved happy ever after, Ronnie loses Baby James to cot death and swaps him with her friends Baby. I know Eastenders like to make their plots true to life but seriously, how much more bad luck can this poor woman have?

Eastenders executive producer Bryan Kirkwood has recently wrote a statement that read

"Our aim was and still is to tell a strong story that would, in the telling raise the profile of cot death in the UK. It's clear that we have managed to do this, and that traffic to the Foundation for the study of infant Deaths website has increased by over 500%, but we are also mindful of the fact that in doing so, sections of our audience have found the storyline challenging."

"Eastenders never set out to upset it's audience, not only would this be counter productive but it would be a breach of a long established trust that we can deliver truthful stories that inspire debate in a way that's acceptable to a family audience." "Although we have had complaints, we have also had positive responses from people who have been through the experiences we are currently dramatising who feel that we have done this well and have contacted us to offer their backing." "A large portion of audience are watching and being supportive of the storyline so we owe those viewers the opportunity to continue to engage with it and see the storyline through to its rightful conclusion."

Bryan Kirkwood said that whenever they do a storyline in Eastenders they always leave it open ended so that they can monitor and listen to their audiences reaction. He said

"With this in mind we have decided to bring the story to a close on screen in the spring, as the story progresses and Kat is reunited with her child, we hope to explore the impact of the tragic events that have befallen the characters in a way that is powerful, but true to the best public service tradition of the show."

See updated storyline and pictures of Alfie and Kat reunited and Ronnie in prison http://hubpages.com/_r6atc6lcln0v/hub/Eastenders-Ronnie-in-prison-after-giving-Tommy-back-to-Kat-and-Jack-Branning-goes-of-the-rails

The scenes are to be aired around Easter and will show Ronnie Mitchell handing Baby Tommy back to Kat and Alfie. The storyline will have a soft and emotional ending to avoid distressing viewers. When Kat Moon is finally reunited with her Son, the main focus will be on Kat's happiness at discovering her baby is alive and well.

This shocking storyline was thought up by a handful of writers who do not have children, and many of the scriptwriters who are parents were very reluctant to take part in the emotional plot. All the cast involved in the plot have said in recent interviews how hard they found filming their scenes and many took it home with them long after the cameras stopped rolling.

It has now been reported that Samantha Womack who plays Ronnie Mitchell has chosen to leave the soap in May. This has been confirmed by Eastenders but they played down the reports that her decision to leave was prompted by the recent storyline.

I think most people would agree that Eastenders were right to raise awareness for Infant Deaths, but what I believe people have found the most upsetting was that Ronnie instantly turned into a baby snatcher which portrayed women going through a similar situation in the wrong light. Having said that Eastenders bosses have just agreed to a meeting with bereaved mothers to discuss the recent storyline. The founder of Mumsnet Justine Roberts, wrote to Eastenders to request a meeting. Justine said

"The Mums at this meeting will probably be people who have suffered bereavement. They're the only ones who know how inaccurate the storyline is."

Although i think the Eastenders storyline did not have to end the way it did and can understand why parents that have suffered a loss would be affected by it, I don't think the storyline is necessary inaccurate. I have read many a story over the years of woman who have lost a baby or can't have children and then stolen someone else's. This does not mean that all woman are the same but sadly this does happen.

Ronnie Mitchell is playing the part of a woman who has been through so much and is mentally and physically exhausted. I do not think she set out to take baby Tommy she just heard him crying and wanted to spend some time with him for a while. Unfortunately by the time Ronnie had come back to reality the damage had already been done and she was scared by the consequences of her actions. Eastenders have always been renowned for their hard hitting story-lines based closely on true life events. They have covered rapes, murders, domestic violence, adoptions, death and even child abuse and although many of their plots have been shocking they have also raised awareness. I think Kat and Alfie have done an amazing job of portraying bereaved parents, and the awareness of infant death has been raised by 500%.

See the Baby Swap episode below.

See new spoiler and pictures of Kat and Alfie reunited with Tommy and Ronnie in prison http://hubpages.com/_r6atc6lcln0v/hub/Eastenders-Ronnie-in-prison-after-giving-Tommy-back-to-Kat-and-Jack-Branning-goes-of-the-rails

The Foundation for the study of infant Deaths is the UK's leading baby charity aiming to prevent unexpected deaths in infancy and to also promote infant health. The Charity offers a wide range of support such as

> A helpline for parents, carers and health proffessionals and bereaved families.

> A wide range of publications and resources on reducing the risk of cot death and safe baby care.

> A network of trained befrienders to support bereaved families.

> The care of Next Infant (CONI) sheme, with the NHS to support bereaved families when they have subsequent babies.

You can phone the FSID on their free helpline 0808 802 6868

Alternatively you can click on the link below where you will be directed straight to their website.