'Enders exec responds to plot reaction

EastEnders executive producer Diederick Santer has responded to audience reaction following last night's episode of the BBC soap.

The hour special - which featured Peggy (Barbara Windsor) and Archie's (Larry Lamb) wedding as well as the death of Ronnie Mitchell's (Samantha Janus) secret daughter Danielle (Lauren Crace) - was seen by an average of 10.6m and caused an abnormal power surge on at the National Grid.

However, the episode has sparked mixed feelings among some of the viewing audience, with many members of the DS forums expressing their dismay at the plot's ending. The BBC has also confirmed that it has received a number of representations regarding the storyline.

Santer this afternoon said: "Last night's EastEnders contained all the elements of a classic soap episode – a wedding, high drama and tragedy.

"We acknowledge that we didn't deliver the happy ending that many of the audience may have been hoping for, and that for some people this was upsetting. We hope viewers understand that our aim is to deliver the best drama. That doesn't always lead to a happy ending.

He added: "EastEnders - like all good drama - contains a balance of storylines, both happy and sad. We’re proud of the episode, the storyline which built up to it and the way the audience have engaged with it."

> Click here to read our reaction to the episode in Soap Scoop
> Behind the scenes at Danielle's death in 'Enders
> In Pictures: Danielle's life in Walford