I'm not sure if BK listens that much to DS or not, mostly because Kathleen Beedles made a comment on Twitter that some felt was pointed at DS, about their comments. Some posters there loathe him, they have from before he ever made any decisions at EE, and nothing he does is going to make a difference.

I wouldn't be surprised if sites like Walford Web have more of an impact.

But I don't know if the story with Vanessa/Harry was dropped because of fan reaction or not. It was never even really a story. I think it was just one of many things that they lost track of and never cared about again.

As for Michael, I feel like there was a failure in early development of this character. Many fans clearly assumed he was going to be a "ladies man" type, and he clearly is not. I hear comments like "Michael and Roxy have no chemistry," when they're not supposed to have chemistry. That's part of the point.

I think he's interesting as such a monstrous and damaged man. I just hope they won't go OTT like they did with ARchie. I also hope they won't rush his story because some call a story "boring" if it doesn't involve Phil Collinson style empty stunts that look like overgrown toddlers on a rampage.

I thought the same about Michael early on, too. I think the way they wrote him, they made it seem like he was a ladies man. I can also see why some believe his recent development is not growth, but out-of-character behaviour, due to his earlier portrayal. I don't want him to randomly rape someone and for TPTB to say it's in character, like they did with Archie. I just hope they do this properly and actually think about the impact Michael's actions will have on Roxy, and actually develop her a bit.

A lot of viewers have the attention span of a goldfish, and can't stand stories going on for longer than 2 months, as anything longer is classed as dragging it out, and anything that may be remotely character driven is boring and dull. The problem with being sensationalist and plot driven is that viewers get used to it and expect that level of wham bam all the time; when they get a plot that is slower and more subdued, they're not used to it.

Horrible news....

Pam St. Clement has opted to not renew her contract and is leaving at the end of the year.

I know she hasn't been driving any storylines since the early 00's, but loosing Pat is a big loss. I'm going to miss her.

St Clement said: "I have enjoyed 25 and a half wonderful years in EastEnders creating the character of Pat but feel it's time to hang up her earrings.

"Leaving the EastEnders 'family' will be akin to a bereavement. But I'm looking forward to the other work and life opportunities that I will have the time to pursue."

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/x/Article/201107116026407

Edited July 7, 201114 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

I just read this. I'm sure people will blame stories or Kirkwood but I wonder if her health was a reason. I felt like last year was her best year in quite some time.

I love Pat. She's one of my favorite TV characters ever. When I started watching Eastenders, she was one of those who immediately hooked me, along with Carol and Nigel and a few others. She's just such a lively, complicated figure, able to make you double over laughing or burst into tears. She ties so many characters together and she's one of the last links to the show's best years (Julia Smith era).

It's going to be tough to imagine the show without her

I hope they don't kill Pat off.

I'm not even sure what exit would be appropriate for Pat. She's been there for so long that I never stopped to imagine the show without her.

I don't even know what to say. What a tremendous blow.

Was today Womack's last airdate? And since today was an hour, is the show on tomorrow?

Today was Ronnie's last episode, and the EastEnders Revealed episode on the Greatest Exits also aired.

the show is on tomorrow

Edited July 7, 201114 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

Walford Web are saddened by this.

I would like Pat to have one last hurrah before leaving. I think Pat should have lung cancer after years of smoking and decide to travel the world before her time runs out. We could have a scene in The Vic where Pat says goodbye to everyone whose life Pat touched over the years.

This is sad, but I hope for the best for Pam. Knowing that Pat won't be around for long will definitely make it harder for me to get back into watching the show, but I guess I should eventually if I want to feel the full effect of her exit storyline.

To be honest, as inexperienced as I am with EE and its inner-workings, I never really thought Pat/PS would stick around too long after Peggy/BW left. And of course, you have to wonder what this means for Janine.

Edited July 8, 201114 yr by All My Shadows

Yeah, Janine is going to be increasing isolated with Ricky gone, and now Pat, especially after they killed off Lydia, a decision I still believe was a huge mistake.

This isn't a shock for me - surprising, and initially out-of-left-field, but considering Pat has been recurring for the last few years, I've gotten used to the show without her, and really it felt like it would happen sooner farther than later. But, Carl's right, 2010 did feel like Pat's best year in a long time (with regards to PSC's filming), and I will miss Pat when she goes. I don't think the show is the same when she's away generally. It will take some getting used to in the long-term.

The official BBC statement

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/07_july/08/pam.shtml

Here's the Greatest Exits Revealed special:

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LaAor-P6pp0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gIA22_ScFxI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rZM_HrLHwwg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W73iFuO1v_o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IEZKtONeKNE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H2gdWvoZhH8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Edited July 8, 201114 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14070135

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/3683970/End-of-an-earring.html

Edited July 9, 201114 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

Here's the Jazzy Julia's Theme from 1993 that fades into the Jazzy EastEnders theme music:

Ian begging Cindy to stay:

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nDAGifIv5SM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Kathy's 1998 Exit, which begins with a very rare dream sequence between Kathy and Pat:

Oddly enough, it was also Cindy's last episode on the show.

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MAu-7D7Lqpc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TSIxlVYDaT8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Hx9tCFTWP0Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PVI4KLlKuaU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>