Ronnie Branning

EastEnders’ baby death scenes toned down

Trauma … Ronnie Branning (Samantha Womack) is distraught after the death of her baby son James

bosses have toned down harrowing cot death scenes from the soap’s shocking New Year’s storyline to avoid upsetting viewers.

Programme chiefs admitted they made edits to some of the most traumatic scenes which see Ronnie Branning (Samantha Womack) lose her day-old baby James.

The desperate mum then swaps her baby’s body with Kat Moon’s (Jessie Wallace) new-born, Tommy, and passes him off as her own.

Soap bosses decided some of the scenes needed to be cut after a preview screening of the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day episodes.

A scene showing a distraught Ronnie touching the cold hand of her dead son was axed to avoid distressing soap fans.

Producers also toned down the sound of Kat’s baby crying which attracts Ronnie’s attention as she clutches her lifeless son in Albert Square.
Devastated … Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) is comforted by Alfie (Shane Ritchie) after Ronnie swaps her dead child for Kat’s new-born, Tommy.

A scene showing new mum Kat in blood-soaked pyjamas after husband Alfie Moon (Shane Ritchie) finds her haemorrhaging in her bed was also changed.

Bryan added: “These are small edits which we have made being mindful of viewer sensitivity but which will in no way detract from the compelling drama, dialogue or performances.”

The soap has worked with the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) to ensure the story is portrayed accurately.

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