Talk:Sean O'Connor (producer)

Quit or sacked
Was he sacked from EE or did he quit. Some sources say one, some say the other and some say both so which Is is. Aacfsftw (talk) 22:42, 23 June 2017 (UTC)
 * BBC News says his intention was always to leave at the end of 2017, but commitments with Camberwell Productions meant he had to leave early. Digital Spy is saying the same. I haven't read anything else - can you share some of the other sources? —  a nemone   p ro j ec t ors  16:51, 24 June 2017 (UTC)

Character changes in lead
I hope we can agree that the current sourcing does not in fact support that these decisions "defined O'Connor's career". ■ ∃ Madeline ⇔ ∃ Part of me ; 19:47, 26 November 2022 (UTC)


 * If I've done anything, the thing that has defined my career was a story about coercive control in The Archers- or perhaps bringing Terence Davies out of retirement. These cast changes at Eastenders were trivial and part and parcel of the ecology of soap opera. The editor who added this sentence cut the sentence about The Archers and deliberately added some details that s/he is clearly angry about. So it feels very personal to me and, I think, unjust. People reading Wikipedia want to read the facts, not skewed half-truths culled from Digital Spy. Robhaywood10 (talk) 01:00, 27 November 2022 (UTC)
 * Firstly, you need to stop editing your own article, and per WP:COMPROMISED, the account of your husband's that you are now using may be blocked. My advice would be to create your own account, disclose the COI, and not edit your page further. As for the lead, I think the criticism for your work on EE does not belong there considering you've done a lot of other work. Fan criticism isn't a lead-worthy addition in most cases considering it doesn't appeal to the wider audience, so I'd put the criticisms in the body of the article and leave it there. – Meena • 10:49, 27 November 2022 (UTC)
 * Hi there, I note that the super fan who keeps making these malign points about one incident at Eastenders years ago has once again posted the same story that had been removed from the headline of my biog. Is there anyway these posts can be removed and posts from this poster stopped? They clearly seem to have a very personal agenda about these characters. And don't seem able to move on. What can be done about it? Robhaywood10 (talk) 11:03, 4 October 2023 (UTC)

Lead sentence
Per MOSBIO, we don't need "born" in the opening paragraph, labels are included only when needed for clarity. Thank you, Malerooster (talk) 00:18, 3 March 2023 (UTC)

Fan criticism
''During his tenure, O'Connor was responsible for killing off two of the show's most popular characters, sisters Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell, a decision which has been consistently criticised. ''

As the subject of this article I have requested this phrase be deleted from the headline. It's irrelevant in terms of my career. This phrase has been removed by editors before, but another editor- clearly an ardent EastEnders fan has replaced it. As noted above, fan criticism isn't lead-worthy. At the same time, many of the source quotes don't actually support the agenda mentioned later in the article. Dominic Treadwell- Collins simply says it's sad when characters leave who you have created them- whereas the quote calls this a 'criticism'. Having this phrase in the opening paragraph gives it an importance that also suggests that I was asked because of this decision when that is not true. Birkenhead01 (talk) 09:04, 24 October 2023 (UTC)


 * Editors answering this request might note that the sentence is not cited, giving weight to this request. With citation it might be better placed elsewhere in the article if it is not simply removed. 🇺🇦 Fiddle Timtrent  Faddle Talk to me 🇺🇦 10:18, 24 October 2023 (UTC)
 * I agree with User:Timtrent, its placement in the lead section was out of the ordinary. It exists much better now as two direct quotes from the better half of four prior existing references: The Mirror and Hello! magazine. The third reference was deleted as non-functioning while the fourth one was almost an editorial. I'm a bit concerned by the COI editor's remark This phrase has been removed by editors before, but another editor- clearly an ardent EastEnders fan has replaced it. I haven't looked at the edit history to know whether this is true or not (the COI editor provided no  of the change)  so I guess time will tell. Regards,  Spintendo  10:32, 26 October 2023 (UTC)
 * Hello there, as the subject of this page, I've been made aware that a recent post suggests that I was sacked from Eastenders for bullying. This is a very contentious accusation and far from the case. Some fans may have surmised this at the time. The Sun apologised for any implication they may have made and were forced to pay substantial damages. This libellous accusation should be removed. I think it's an ardent fan who won't accept that I simply left Eastenders because I wanted to leave- there is no mystery. I don't want to delete this myself as there's a conflict of interest, but I think it should be dealt with.
 * On 23 June 2017, following reports from The Sun that O'Connor had been axed from EastEnders for bullying cast members as well as well as the soap's drop in ratings, it was announced that O'Connor would be leaving EastEnders after a year in the role of executive producer. cast members said: "I've had an amazing time at EastEnders. Working with the editorial staff, cast and crew at Elstree has been an absolute privilege". O'Connor's final episode as Executive Producer aired on 24 November 2017. Birkenhead01 (talk) 23:42, 6 January 2024 (UTC)
 * ✅ in edit request below :) Lewcm Talk to me! 10:03, 8 January 2024 (UTC)

COI Request
Hello there, as the subject of this page, last year I requested that some edits by a fan be investigated. It was easily resolved. However, that edit has now been edited again with some libellous information. It is claimed here that I left the BBC show EastEnders because of falling ratings and bullying. None of this is true, as both the BBC and The Sun indicated at the time. I think this is an edit from an ardent fan who won't accept that I simply left EastEnders because I wanted to leave- there is no mystery. I can't edit this myself as there'd be a conflict of interest, but I think it should be dealt with. These negative edits seem particularly targeted to undermine my reputation and to create a narrative that just didn't happen. The editor refers to gossip, insubtantiated rumour, quotes from uber fans on Digital Spy and poorly researched articles in The Sun and The Daily Mirror- hardly credible sources.

The particular - and libellous - accusation of bullying made below has been proved to have have no truth whatsoever.

These edits appear in this paragraph:

O'Connor's tenure as executive producer has generally been received as negative by viewers and former cast alike, primarily the decision to kill off sisters Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell in a swimming pool freak accident which elicited strong reactions, with The Daily Mirror reporting that the soap "was slammed for the deaths by viewers", while Barbara Windsor, who played the sister's on-screen aunt, described the decision to Hellomagazine as "a mistake." His decision to recast original character Michelle Fowler to actress Jenna Russell was criticised by viewers, who argued that the recast "just [wasn't] working". On 23 June 2017, following reports from The Sun that O'Connor had been axed from EastEnders for bullying cast members as well as well as the soap's drop in ratings, it was announced that O'Connor would be leaving EastEnders after a year in the role of executive producer. Birkenhead01 (talk) 14:32, 7 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Sorry to hear it has been re-added, I've removed it per unsourced content and I'll keep the page in my watchlist. Thanks, Lewcm Talk to me! 10:02, 8 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Many thanks for that removing that accusation.
 * This editor seems focussed on undermining my reputation. By the careful use of quotes that seem to suggest that these are trusted sources. But they are simply quotes from Digital Spy and Hello! By the way they have added these references, the editor implies that I was sacked from Eastenders for making these decisions. That just isn't true. The casting of Jenna Russell was criticised by some viewers, but these were just a vocal minority on Digital Spy. And Barbara Windsor made an unguarded comment to the press- but she was ill at the time, as is now well known. Re-casting and letting cast members go is just part of the churn of running a big show- and most of the audience understand that. This editor seems personally aggrieved at my tenure on the show and seems to want to continue to attempt to undermine my integrity and reputation- years after I left it. I feel there is a more objective way of presenting this information. Birkenhead01 (talk) 10:36, 8 January 2024 (UTC)

It is absolutely disgusting that you are blaming Barbara Windsor's illness for her criticism of you killing off two of EastEnders' most popular characters. The comments were made in October 2016, when Barbara was still working and 18 months before she and Scott decided that it was time to go public with the Alzheimer's diagnosis. No evidence exists to suggest that these comments were caused by her illness. I also think it's delusional to be attributing any criticism to a "vocal minority on Digital Spy" when your work on EastEnders was panned pretty much everywhere. Ratings fell sharply and the show consistently placed third behind Emmerdale for the first time in its history.

I have no idea if the bullying claims are true - and if they aren't then you have every right to defend yourself against them - but let's not try to rewrite history with regards to how your work on the show was viewed. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2A00:23C7:C084:2401:A814:FE05:8791:CD90 (talk) 15:07, 17 January 2024 (UTC)


 * I'm not blaming Barbara at all. I'm simply establishing the context. Barbara was ill- and Scott apologised on her behalf. Her illness was not public at that time. The point is simply that unguarded things are said and nobody takes them seriously. And yet, here it is quoted as gospel truth. My issue about this page is that small area of my work in a career has been blown out of all proportion. And it does feel like a personal series of attacks, rather than an objective overview. Birkenhead01 (talk) 19:34, 17 January 2024 (UTC)

Your legacy will forever be the fact you killed off our beloved Veronica and Roxanne, you reap what you sow. And the fact you use your dead husband's account to remove information about yourself to try and clear your image. You will never be forgiven for what you did to Ronnie and Roxy. Own up to it, and accept it and stop breaking WP:COIKelly Mai Webb (talk) 05:54, 19 January 2024 (UTC) strike sock
 * Hysterical. It's only a soap. Unlike a forum. Where Shamelessness reigns supreme controlling all and Sue Osman wishes for the day on Eastenders when Reg Cox was still alive. EvilWalfordWeb (talk) 12:21, 19 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Many people say they haven’t watched EastEnders since “Bradley fell off the roof.” Now, there’s a growing chunk of former viewers that say they haven’t watched EastEnders since Ronnie & Roxy drowned.
 * I know that the Sun was found libellious against allegations they made against Mr. O’Connor; however, the way he has consistently tried to take down the bit about Ronnie & Roxy’s demise and used Barbara Windsor’s illness to downplay her criticism speaks a lot of volumes. 86.187.174.145 (talk) 11:59, 19 January 2024 (UTC)
 * I don't make ridiculous statements, but Sean is a hero. I wish he was in charge of Walford Web, he'd turn that forum into something great. EvilWalfordWeb (talk) 12:17, 19 January 2024 (UTC)

As for Ballum, they are evil and Bowden's departure cannot come soon enough. But soap dames are what EastEnders has been built on and O'Connor axing Veronica and Roxanne is evil quite frankly.Kelly Mai Webb (talk) 12:45, 19 January 2024 (UTC) strike sock
 * Ballum is meh, they wish they could be evil. They are not worthy of your hatred. Just like that hall monitor bootlicker Mr sunshine who causes flowers to wilt and clowns to cry everytime he walks past them. EvilWalfordWeb (talk) 13:09, 19 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Just to let you know that the people on the so-called evil forum you are ranting about knows who you are and its pathetic that you are denigrating and slandering a forum that they ALL know you are a member of. You are just embarassing yourself at this point. Arjoccolenty (talk) 00:00, 20 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Whatever. At least I'm not like that awful big ape poster. Jeez, that big ape poster is probably one of the worst posters of all time. I can sense the awfulness of the big ape poster just by reading their posts. I can imagine this big ape poster cutting in line and not using the right cutlery when visiting Buckingham palace. Truly a menace to society. EvilWalfordWeb (talk) 00:34, 20 January 2024 (UTC)
 * So just because somebody doesn't use the right cutlery they are an awful unredeemable person? Lots of people don't and I am sure that you don't either, so I wouldn't use that. Besides just because they don't like something doesn't mean they are a horrible person either. Arjoccolenty (talk) 01:30, 20 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Don't be a big ape cultist worshipper. Those people like to dig holes in the ground, fill it with water, and sing the devil music like The Beatles. EvilWalfordWeb (talk) 03:13, 20 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Hey that's not completely fair. I don't like digging holes because its too much worse. I do like some choice Beatle songs though but not their whole catalogue. Arjoccolenty (talk) 03:24, 21 January 2024 (UTC)

Lady, lady
Is it true that you chased Laurie Brett down a corridor shouting "lady, LADY!" at her? 92.0.203.251 (talk) 04:14, 20 January 2024 (UTC)


 * Is it true that Amphibien can mind control gerbils into bringing them breakfast every morning? EvilWalfordWeb (talk) 04:28, 20 January 2024 (UTC)