Has soap bubble burst for Corrie?
I was interested to read your article about TV presenter Fern Britton asking ITV bosses to end Coronation Street’s run of dark storylines (Mirror, March 20).
No doubt the current harrowing story featuring homosexual rape has done a lot to raise public awareness of the problem, but I think campaigning should be left to the current affairs and documentary producers. And it certainly shouldn’t have been shown before the 9pm watershed.
Call me shallow, but I like my soap operas to be pure entertainment. I wonder if other Madeuthink readers feel the same?
Mary Cook, Gainsborough, Lincs
Corrie producer Kate Oates is unjustly the butt of stinging criticism as she continues to forage into dark places with the latest storyline of David Platt, played by Jack P Shepherd, seemingly the victim of male rape by newcomer Josh Tucker (Ryan Clayton). Kate wants the Street’s storylines to be talking points. And my goodness they are. Although they might not be to every viewer’s taste, the soap will continue no matter what and I’m sure it will revert back to comedy again when a new producer takes over.
Les Holt, Prestwich Manchester
I have watched Coronation Street for 40-plus years and I am sad to say I won’t be watching it any more as the storylines have become much too violent. We all know what goes on in the world, but when we watched Corrie it used to be lighthearted and sometimes very funny – in general, a bit of escapism.
But not now – nothing nice happens anymore. It’s so sad to see a good soap go down hill.
Jean Hooley, Liverpool
It’s funny how no one reacts this way when Hollyoaks and EastEnders run horrible storylines. The unfortunate truth is that this is a very real thing that happens and barely gets any attention at all. I say well done to Corrie for focusing on something real and important, rather than that Pat Phelan nonsense they have been ramming down people’s throats for months.
N Harston, Sheffield
I totally agree with Fern Britton. Perhaps she should start a petition. Producer Kate Oates and the writers need to go sooner rather than later. It has got so bad that I have stopped watching. And, yes, I do know these things happen, but it’s just not a soap anymore, more like a dark horror story.
Yvonne Canham, Uttoxeter, Staffs
Since when was real life full of fun and laughter? The dark storylines are usually the best. I bet Fern didn’t moan during the Richard Hillman killing spree, or when the Metrolink tram crashed into Dev’s shop.
Michael Smith, Rochdale Gtr Manchester
Fern is absolutely spot on with her comments about our beloved Coronation Street. I have been a fan for many years, but the current producer, Kate Oates, is ruining the show due to her obsession with grim storylines. The latest one about male rape is beyond the pale. Corrie is a family show and it doesn’t need to deal such awful subjects, no matter how true to life.