EastEnders boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins quits, gets Archers replacement

He steered the soap through its 30th anniversary which included an entire week of live episodes

(BBC)

EastEnders boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins is stepping down as executive producer after two and a half years.

The role will be taken over by Sean O'Connor, the editor of long-running radio show The Archers. He previously worked on the soap as story producer back in 2005.

With Treadwell-Collins in charge, the soap has remained the nation's most popular winning the top prize at the National Television Awards for two years running as well as earning a slew of trophies at last year's British Soap Awards.

He has also steered EastEnders through some of its most memorable soap storylines of the decade thus far - the peak of which arrived during its week of live shows celebrating the soap's 30th anniversary which culminated in the reveal that Ian Beale's son Bobby murdered his sister Lucy.

Treadwell-Collins also placed an emphasis on the element of surprise, often eluding the press and viewer alike with unreported storytelling twists and shock character returns; a feat that rarely occurs in soaps.

In a statement from the BBC, his replacement O'Connor commented: “Dominic hands over EastEnders in robust health. It’s a testament to his endless commitment, infectious enthusiasm and rich imagination that the programme remains BBC1’s flagship drama."

Treadwell-Collins said: "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 [the show] as much as I do.

"It's going to be gut-wrenching to tear myself away from everyone at EastEnders. It's an utterly unique place to work."

Treadwell-Collins began as a story editor back in 2005 before rising through the ranks to reach the role of executive producer.

Before his departure, Treadwell-Collins has one more big storyline to tackle: the return of Barbara Windsor for her Peggy Mitchell swan song. Ross Kemp will also reprise his role as Grant Mitchell for the first time in ten years.