EastEnders ‘in turmoil’ as boss Sean O'Connor QUITS after just one year amid ratings slump
EASTENDERS is said to be in chaos after the BBC confirmed that producer Sean O'Connor was standing down immediately.
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A spokesperson announced the shock news that the soap boss would be leaving last night to concentrate on film projects.
The 49-year-old will be temporarily replaced by John Yorke, who worked as a script editor on the long-running drama in the 1990s before taking creative control between 2000 and 2003.
EastEnders has denied that Sean was axed amid falling ratings as well as criticism from viewers for boring and controversial storylines, including the death of Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell.
"I’ve had an amazing time at EastEnders,” the writer commented. “Working with the editorial staff, cast and crew at Elstree has been an absolute privilege. They are the kindest, most loyal and hard-working team in the business.”
EastEnders: Sean O'Connor has quit the BBC soap
EastEnders' Sean O'Connor has been in the job for just one year
My heart lies in feature films
He continued: “But my heart lies in feature films and I’m hugely excited as my film projects are now reaching production. When the BBC asked me to take over at EastEnders, my plan was to stay until the end of 2017 but with production starting on these films sooner than anticipated, I must – with a heavy heart - bid farewell to Albert Square.”
Sean went on to add: ”I’ll enjoy watching EastEnders go from strength to strength but will miss everybody enormously. Elstree really is a place where you make friends for life."
Meanwhile, an insider told The Sun that the show was now “in turmoil” and: “something had to give so it’s no surprise he’s gone”.
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“The atmosphere’s been awful on set for months, the storylines are dreadful and ratings have gone through the floor,” the source revealed.
EastEnders picked up just one award at the recent British Soap Awards, while consolidated ratings saw the highest-rated episode of EastEnders in the week commencing June 5 pick up 7.06 million viewers compared to 8.39 million for rival Coronation Street.
EastEnders continues Monday at 8pm on BBC One.