EastEnders producer is leaving the soap

Fans of EastEnders will know the name Dominic Treadwell-Collins well, he is the executive producer of the soap for the last few years and has been responsible for some of the show's biggest storylines, including 'Who Killed Lucy Beale?' and 'Who Killed Archie?'

He announced the news today in a statement; "My love for EastEnders is no secret and so the decision to leave Walford has not been one I have taken lightly. When I commit to something, I always give it my all - and after two and a half years of giving my blood to Walford, it is time for me to move on to other things - and keep EastEnders creatively refreshed, something that it has to do to stay at the top of its game.

"It's going to be gut-wrenching to tear myself away from everyone at EastEnders. It's an utterly unique place to work, with everyone working so hard and with such passion - and I am so so proud to have led that brilliant team over the past couple of years. I know that EastEnders will continue to thrive under Sean and I'm looking forward to watching the show as a viewer again."

The 'Sean' he is referring to is Sean O'Connor, the editor of radio soap The Archers, who previously worked on EastEnders as director and producer.

Treadwell-Collins also added that he had initially made the decision to leave the soap last summer but decided to remain on; "Firstly, to oversee Peggy's last episodes, which will air in May. When Dame Barbara comes to you to produce her final episodes, you cannot say no. I left EastEnders with Peggy last time when she burnt down her Vic and it feels fitting that we will now leave permanently together.

"Secondly, I needed to find the right person to take over from me. This is an incredible all-consuming show and in Sean, I know that we have found someone who already has Albert Square in his bones and who adores EastEnders as much as I do."

Treadwell-Collins was previously with the soap from 2005 to 2010 when he worked as a story producer and returned in July 2013 as executive producer. Over his time on the soap, he is responsible for creating some of the show's most popular characters including Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell and the Carter family to name but a few.

He was also responsible for re-introducing the likes of Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner), Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), Les Coker (Roger Sloman), Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen).

No doubt he will be missed by all on the soap, here's hoping this Sean fella proves a worthy successor to pass the torch onto.