Diederick Santer to stand down as Executive Producer

The EastEnders executive producer, Diederick Santer, is to leave the BBC1 soap after more than three years, with Hollyoaks senior executive Bryan Kirkwood signed up to take over in the new year.

Santer, who sits on the board of BBC drama production, has been executive producer of the BBC1 show since October 2006. He will stand down in February next year, after EastEnders celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Kirkwood spent three years producing Channel 4’s Hollyoaks. Since late 2008 he has been producing spin-off Hollyoaks Later. He previously spent a decade working on ITV’s hit drama Coronation Street as a storyliner.

Santer, who has been responsible for the introduction of the Mitchell Sisters, the Masood family and the return of Ricky and Bianca, will remain with BBC drama production as an executive producer.

In his new role he will be responsible for developing new shows that can be internationally co-produced with the aim that they will be made in conjunction with BBC Worldwide Los Angeles.