Search: EastEnders Samantha Womack
There is "no truth" in the claims that EastEnders actress Samantha Womack, whose character has been involved in the soap's controversial baby swap plot, is leaving the show over the current storyline, her agent has said.
Womack plays Ronnie Branning, who lost baby son James to cot death on New Year's Eve then swapped him for Kat Moon's (Jessie Wallace) live newborn, Tommy - generating thousands of viewer complaints in the process.
Show chiefs confirmed mother-of-two Womack would be leaving the BBC1 soap in several months, but downplayed reports that her departure was prompted by the harrowing storyline.
According to The Sun, the 38-year-old actress brought filming to a halt during the scenes as she was so upset, and also "made it clear" to bosses that she thought the plot was wrong.
Womack's agent Michael Wiggs said: "There's no truth whatsoever in any suggestion that Sam is 'quitting' EastEnders over the current storyline. Sam's contract comes to a natural end later this year and she will be taking a break from the show. This has been agreed with the producers for several months.
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"Sam has had an incredibly happy and fulfilling time on EastEnders over the last few years. She has huge respect for the show, writers and producers and has thoroughly enjoyed playing such a complex role that has been involved in so many tough and challenging storylines."
BBC Drama controller John Yorke said Womack was "a much-loved member of the cast. When she leaves at the end of this storyline, she'll be much missed, and the door will be open for her return".
Womack - formerly known as Samantha Janus before her marriage to actor husband Mark Womack - will reportedly leave the show in May.
By Thursday afternoon the number of complaints received by the BBC had exceeded 5,800. The corporation defended the storyline, insisting the BBC1 show did not intend to "cause distress or upset".
In a statement, programme chiefs acknowledged it was a "particularly emotive storyline" which was approached "with great care and attention", with the advice of experts, adding: "We were careful to select Ronnie, who we felt was the only character capable of acting in this way in a believable manner, following all the difficulties she's experienced in her life and the emotional toll this has put on her."
