As The Sun reveals that the divisive Corrie chief is stepping down, she insists that she’s proud of her hard-hitting storylines that had some loyal fans switching off
CORONATION Street boss Kate Oates has insisted she’s “proud” of her dark storylines which infuriated some loyal fans.
The Sun revealed that Kate was quitting the show after two years in the role following a flurry of particularly gritty plots, and in her first interview Kate has no regrets about riling audiences.
She told : “I am proud of the stories we have told and the impact they have had, and I’ve had a ball working with one of the best and most talented teams in television.”
“Being a part of Coronation Street has quite simply been one of the best experiences of my life. I’ll be forever grateful for this opportunity and all it has given me.”
She added: “I’ll continue to love watching both ITV soaps from the comfort of my sofa.”
Kate’s being replaced by Emmerdale’s Iain Macleod, who said: “I look forward to continuing the amazing work already being done by everyone connected with the show.”
Although some connected with the show should be worried, as The Sun reveals he’ll be axing some of the younger characters.
Rumours had been rife for months that Kate was a goner.
Some had labelled her a “dead woman walking” and long-serving stars were said to be unhappy about newer cast members being handed gritty storylines.
Kate, 38, confirmed to The Sun she had resigned after two years at the show’s helm, just four months after ITV tried to deny the initial story.
During her tenure, big-name stars Catherine Tyldesley, Shayne Ward and Debbie Rush have all quit.
Storylines featuring villain Pat Phelan, played by Connor McIntyre, 57, have also upset loyal fans, including Sir Michael Parkinson, 83.
A source said: “It was always a matter of when, not if, with Kate going, and now it’s been confirmed she’s leaving.
“There’s a feeling of jumping before she was pushed. But she is staying within the ITV family.
“The storylines she worked on, while rating successes, were very divisive among viewers and the cast and crew. Everyone is looking forward to seeing what the future on the soap looks like now.”
Kate is now moving to work on ITV cop series Bancroft, starring Sarah Parish, 49.
She said: “I’ll be forever grateful for this opportunity and all it has given me, but I’m also excited to try something new.”
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