John Yorke has a signed an extension to his 'EastEnders' contract.

Jessie Wallace as Kat Slater

Jessie Wallace as Kat Slater

The BBC One soap's executive producer - responsible for introducing the Slater family and recently bringing them back to the programme - has put pen to paper on a longer deal in his third stint in the role, after initially signing up for three months.

A source told The Sun's Bizarre TV column: "John has agreed to stay a bit longer and has signed an extension on his contract to see at least the rest of the year out."

John was exec producer from 2000 to 2002 before making way for Louise Berridge, and he then took on the role again in 2005.

Last year, he replaced Sean O'Connor as the show's boss, much to the delight of Jake Wood, who plays Max Branning.

He said: "If you look back at the history of the show he has come out with some of the best storylines.

"He's a master of his craft, I've had about six bosses and he's the best."

As well as introducing the Slaters, including loud-mouth Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), John was responsible for the huge "Who Shot Phil?" storyline, and left the nation on the edge of their seats in April 2001 when 22 million tuned in to discover Phil's ex Lisa Shaw (Lucy Benjamin) was the culprit.

John had a hand in the shock plot that Kat turned out to be Zoe Slater's (Michelle Ryan) mum in what is now known as the "You Ain't My Mother" storyline.

The 2001 scene has been nominated for the Greatest Moment prize at this year's British Soap Awards as part of a one-off category to mark the ceremony's 20 years.

The moment is up against Emmerdale's tragic Hotten By-Pass Crash in 2016, and Jade (Kassius Nelson) saying goodbye to Alfie (Richard Linnell ) in 'Hollyoaks' in the same year.

Corrie's Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) driving his family into the canal in 2003 is nominated for the one-off award, as is Vivien's (Anita Carey) rape in 'Doctors' in 2008.

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