September 2004, Berridge quit as executive producer of EastEnders following continued criticism of the show. The same day the programme received its lowest ever ratings at that time (6.2 million) when ITV scheduled an hour-long episode of its rival soap, Emmerdale, against it. Emmerdale was watched by 8.1 million people. Her immediate superior, Mal Young (at the time BBC Controller of Continuing Drama Series), said Berridge "will now be involved in a major new drama project." Writing career Berridge writes full-time as A.L. Berridge. Honour and the Sword was her first novel, reflecting a lifelong passion for history. The first of 'Chevalier' series following the fictional life and adventures of André de Roland in seventeenth century France, it was published by Penguin Books in April 2010. Honour and the Sword became an instant Sunday Times bestseller. A sequel, In the Name of the King, was published August 2011. Her latest novel, Into the Valley of Death, begins a second series featuring Victorian military hero Harry Ryder. It is set in the Crimean War, and follows Ryder through the battles of Alma and Inkerman as well as the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava. References External links Louise Berridge official website; accessed 3 February 2017. Interview, Historvius.com; accessed 3 February 2017. Living people British television producers British women television producers Place of birth missing (living people) Year of birth missing (living people) Soap opera producers