BBC Defends Death Of Enders' Danielle

EastEnders has defended its decision to kill off Danielle Jones as more than 41,000 fans voice their anger over her tragic exit.

 

The troubled adopted teen, played by Lauren Crace, died just as she was reunited with her birth mother, Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Janus). She was involved in a fatal car accident.

 

EastEnders' executive producer Diederick Santer is attempting to calm irate viewers but he said it was "fantastic" that the storyline had created so much anger.

 

"It's been incredible, it's fantastic to have made such an impact," he said. "Honestly, I didn't expect this level of reaction. The story seems to have really touched people, got under their skin, and - in some cases - utterly enraged them. All you ever hope for as a programme-maker is to connect with your audience and get them to care."

 

He defended the decision to end Danielle's search for her birth mother in such a dramatic way: "We thought of many alternative outcomes. But this is the one we always came back to... it was the most interesting for our characters - especially Ronnie. It's the fact that it's so shocking and seems so wrong which made this such a strong story and episode."

 

Facebook group "Bring Back Danielle from EastEnders" has attracted 36,000 fans so far. But, according to The Mirror, soap bosses have ruled this out.