with BBC bosses as to whether the character of Den Watts (played by Leslie Grantham) could ever return to the show after being shot and supposedly killed. The character would ultimately return to the series, having apparently survived the shooting, but Smith would not live to see this happen. Eldorado After the success of EastEnders, Smith and Holland collaborated again on the ill-fated BBC soap opera Eldorado. Holland created the series — based on an original idea by Verity Lambert—and Smith was producer. Eldorado was produced by Lambert through her own company Cinema Verity Productions. The BBC obviously hoped that, after EastEnders, Smith and Holland could make drama gold again; however, the series was cancelled by the new controller of BBC1, Alan Yentob. Smith was blamed for the programme's shortcomings and was fired, which left her bitter towards the BBC, who she believed had not given Eldorado a chance to establish itself. Corinne Hollingworth took over as series producer after Smith left the show, but the series was ended after only one year. Death Following the demise of Eldorado, Smith effectively retired from television work but remained active on the lecture circuit, giving talks on TV drama production. She died of cancer in Chelsea, London, in 1997. Several stalwart cast members of EastEnders, including Wendy Richard, attended her funeral. References External links 1927 births 1997 deaths 20th-century English screenwriters 20th-century British women writers BBC television producers British women television producers British television producers Deaths from cancer in England English television directors English television producers English television writers British women television directors British women television writers Writers from London