New boss to breathe life into Albert Square

The BBC has appointed a new executive producer for EastEnders.

12:12 25 February 2005

The BBC has announced the appointment of Kate Harwood as the new executive producer of flagship soap EastEnders.

Harwood takes the reins after Kathleen Hutchison quit in January after less than four months in the job.

EastEnders has had something of a revival in fortunes of late with 14 million viewers tuning in to watch Dirty Den killed off for the second time last week.

There has also been talk of old faces such as hard man Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and his mum Peggy (Barbara Windsor) making a comeback.

The real coup of course would be convincing Ross Kemp to reprise his role as bad boy Grant Mitchell. Such a move could be on the cards as Kemp is released from his golden handcuffs at ITV later this year.

EastEnders' viewing figures hit an all time low just after Christmas, putting pressure on BBC bosses to take drastic action.

If the return of Dirty Den was disappointing his death, and that of gangster Andy Hunter, has gone some way to helping the soap turn things around.

West End star Darren Day could be the next big name to join the Beeb's ranks in its battle with ITV's Coronation Street.