Palmer 'saddened by 'Enders exec's exit'

Patsy Palmer has revealed her sadness at the imminent departure of Eastenders chief Diederick Santer.

Santer has acted as executive producer on the Walford soap since 2006, but following the show's 25th anniversary celebrations has made plans to leave, to be replaced by former Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood.

Palmer, who plays Bianca Jackson in the programme, has said that she will be sorry to see Santer leave as he has been instrumental in the show's success in recent years.

She told Metro: "Diederick brought me back here and I really love the way he runs the show - he's a nice man, and it shows."

"He's got a good energy and you need that. He supports everybody, every part of the whole show to make it work. He kind of leaves it to everyone but brings it all together.

"It's going to be just horrible because I feel quite settled and comfortable so a change is always going to be a little bit weird. But all the things Bryan has done are really good. I'm sure it will be all right."

Palmer went on to say that she had met his successor Kirkwood briefly and that "he seems [like] a nice guy".