EastEnders boss quits show - Daily TV round-up

'EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood has quit the show, following a slump in ratings and complaints from viewers over the show's plots.

Kirkwood presided over controversial and much-maligned storylines including Ronnie Mitchell's baby swap and Whitney's descent into prostitution at the hands of boyfriend Rob.

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The baby swap plot caused a wave of anger among the public, and saw the BBC receive 13,000 complaints, while older fans of the show have criticised the number of young and new characters arriving in Albert Square.

The show has also been lagging behind arch rival 'Coronation Street' on ITV, sometimes trailing by as many as 1.5 million viewers, and lost out to Corrie in the Best Soap category at the National Television Awards.

Kirkwood, who joined the soap from Channel 4's teen drama 'Hollyoaks', said: “Being the executive producer of EastEnders is one of the most exciting jobs in TV, but it’s also the most exhausting - so after two years, I’ve decided it’s time to leave Walford.

“It’s been a privilege to tell stories that have genuinely had the nation talking. I’m going to take with me some brilliant friends and memories.” [Daily Mail]

Also in today's press

BBC 'Breakfast' presenter Susanna Reid has hit back over criticisms that she shows too much cleavage on the show. “People seem to be shocked that women have breasts. There'll be complaints about the fact that there is literally a shadow showing,” she said. “After breastfeeding three children I'm amazed that people think I still have a cleavage worth complaining about.”. [Radio Times]

'Coronation Street's Sophie Webster is to get hooked on crack cocaine in a controversial new plot. It's thought that questions are already being raised behind the scenes about the storyline, and that some stars are unhappy that 10 characters have been killed off since executive producer Phil Collinson joined the show in 2010. [The Mirror]

The writer of 'Band of Gold' has said that there's too much period drama on TV. Kay Mellor, who also wrote 'Fat Friends', said that British TV is 'leaning a lot towards bonnets'. “I don’t think it is always good to have your head in the sand,” she said. [Daily Mail]