Ex-EastEnders executive producer Diederick Santer has left the BBC to set up his own drama production business. Diederick, who sits on the board of BBC Drama Production, has linked up with Shine Group's Kudos - producers of Ashes to Ashes and Spooks - to launch an independent drama production operation called Lovely Day, according to MediaGuardian. He was executive producer on EastEnders from October 2006 until February this year and was responsible for the introduction of the Mitchell sisters, the Masood family and the return of Ricky and Bianca. Kudos says that Lovely Day will be "managed, owned and operated" independently by Diederick while still benefiting from "full access to Kudos's creative expertise, production and legal affairs teams". The aim of the new business is to produce "popular TV drama for UK audiences, focusing on returnable series which can attract international partners". Diederick said: "I have had 10 fantastic years with BBC Drama Production, and worked with numerous wonderful people all of whom I will miss hugely. "But I hope to be back making shows for BBC before long and of course for other UK and international broadcasters too." Click here to watch whatsontv.co.uk's weekly soaps video preview, the Soap Scoop
