The Stage

Young defends EastEnders executive producer Berridge

Published Tuesday 25 May 2004 at 13:00 by Joanna Taylor

Mal Young, BBC1’s head of continuing drama, has pledged his support to beleagured EastEnders executive producer Louise Berridge, who is under increasing pressure following one of the worst periods in the soap’s history.

Young, who is Berridge’s boss, said that she will remain in the post despite weeks of unfavourable publicity, which culminated in an all-time ratings low of 6.4 million last Tuesday.

The programme has recently faced criticism for weak storylines and under-par acting. It failed to make the short-list for the Bafta television award for best soap for the first time since the prize was introduced six years ago.

This has been compounded by weeks of damaging tabloid stories centred around some of the main members of cast. Leslie Grantham, who recently returned to the soap as Dirty Den Watts, was allegedly caught committing lewd internet sex acts and Elaine Lordan - married Slater sister Lynne Hobbs - has been pictured on drunken binges.

Young said: “I think Louise is great and she is not going anywhere. She is on a two-year deal and I am 100% behind her. I think she coped well with the Leslie Grantham situation and she’s doing brilliantly.”

But there are at least two internet petitions, signed by hundreds of disgruntled fans, calling for Berridge’s dismissal and one TV critic has publicly called for her to be sacked.

Young also denied that the BBC is attempting to poach Coronation Street executive producer Carolyn Reynolds for the role, despite rumours that she has been approached.

Earlier this month EastEnders was awarded the prize for best soap at the British Soap Awards. The category is voted for by the viewer, which Young feels vindicates the show from its current bout of bad publicity.