John Michael Gibbon (born 27 January 1942) is an English television producer and director. He directed and produced the BBC televised soap opera, EastEnders. He began directing the programme in 1985 and began producing the programme in 1988. He became the show's new producer following the departure of the show's creator and series producer Julia Smith. Due to personal conflict with the series' head, Peter Cregeen, he was replaced by Michael Ferguson. It was reported that Gibbon controversially called for the killing of at least ten long-running characters in a bid to boost ratings. According to the writer David Yallop, acting ability was a key factor in deciding which members of the cast to kill off. Cast lists were marked with black asterisks, signifying a death for their character. One of the written plots saw characters die in an IRA bombing. However, the plots never came to fruition, as Gibbon was demoted and then resigned from the serial. He is also the deviser and adaptor, with David Yallop, of Herbert Jenkins's Bindle book series. Gibbon married Moya McCarthy in July 1976 and they have a daughter, Sophie. Filmography New Scotland Yard (1972) - director Helen: A Woman of Today (1973) - director Thick as Thieves (1974) - director Within These Walls (1974) - director Intimate Strangers (1974) - director Emmerdale Farm -director The Brack Report (1982) - director Airline - director Fair City (1988) - director EastEnders (1988–89) - producer City of the Rich - executive producer The Log of the Ark - producer Remains To Be Seen The League Against Christmas References External links 1942 births Living people English television directors English television producers People from Gerrards Cross