Corrie backs male rape plot as fans revolt
CORONATION Street’s under fire boss yesterday defended the soap’s new male rape plot as fed-up fans blasted recent sinister storylines.
Producer Kate Oates, 38, has been in charge since 2016 but has been increasingly criticised for swapping the ITV1 show’s former charm for increasingly dark plots.
Already viewers have slammed the recent harrowing child grooming of Bethany Platt and psychopath Pat Phelan’s double murder.
Now Ms Oates has defended last night’s shocking new story – where hairdresser David Platt (Jack P Shepherd) is drugged and raped by Josh Tucker (Ryan Clayton) who he believed was his friend.
Violent
On TV’s Good Morning Britain yesterday, Ms Oates denied the soap has gone too far this time.
She said: “Male sexual assault happens. One in 10 rapes that happens in the UK will have a male victim.
“This needs discussion – it’s so important to shine a light on these subjects. Do it carefully, do it with consideration but we are a drama, we want to inform people.”
Model Nicola McLean, 36, whose sons are Rocky, 12, and Striker, seven, told the programme the new plots are a step “too far”.
She said: “I just think it should be after 9 o’clock. I don’t think it’s something I want brought into my front room. It’s meant to be an entertainment show.”
Watchdog Ofcom is assessing if ITV breached guidelines by screening violent scenes ahead of the 9pm watershed after receiving 622 complaints over Pat Phelan’s recent murder spree.
Crime writer Martina Cole, iknown for her dark thrillers, recently said she pines for the light-hearted days and legendary characters of the soap.
Ms Cole, 58, said: “The storylines go on too long, ie Phelan and Billy’s drugs drama.
“Too many episodes and not enough storylines.
“For me, the wonder days of Ken and Deirdre and Baldwin need to be revisited.
“Those storylines could have done 20 episodes a week and I’d have happily watched, fabulous acting! The same goes for Hilda and Stan, Vera and Jack.”
TV presenter Fern Britton also recently blasted the Street, bemoaning its lack of charm, saying: “If I got a chance to sit down with Corrie’s scriptwriters I’d give them both barrels and tell them to give us more of the characters with heart that we love.”
But Ms Oates insisted: “I’m not going anywhere. I think the David story is going to be a long runner and it will tie in with another really significant story.
“As that unfolds it will be quite an emotional journey for the audience to go on but a worthwhile one I think.”