We’ll make new Corrie a write laugh!
FUNNY TRIO JOIN STAFF
CORONATION Street has brought in three top new comic writers to inject some fun into the soap.
The moves comes in response to a viewer backlash and jibes from superfans such as Paul O’Grady, who said it had got so violent “it’s like Syria”.
He was among a host of celebrities to criticise the show’s dark plotlines and on-screen brutality under former producer Kate Oates.
Her successor, Iain MacLeod, is now recruiting new writers to brighten it up.
One, Ian Kershaw, has previously worked on comedy dramas such as Shameless and Cold Feet. He is married to actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, who used to play Hayley Cropper in the soap.
Another new writer is Alasdair Morrison, who formerly penned funny scripts for teen soap Hollyoaks.
His first Corrie episode was screened on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Samantha Holdsworth has been drafted in from rival ITV soap Emmerdale to bring some madcap Dingle-style antics to the cobbles.
It follows criticism over a series of dark
HERE’s Alfie and Kat Moon reunited – but for how long?
Shane Richie is coming back to the BBC soap this autumn in an explosive story which sees Alfie’s secret baby scandal leaking out.
The TV favourite was last seen in May when he paid a hush-hush visit to try to win back his estranged wife Kat (Jessie Wallace).
However, the trip was turned on its head when Hayley Slater (Katie Jarvis) told him Corrie plots such as a serial killer, heroinhooked vicar and sex grooming.
Former show supremo Kate’s decision to make the soap grittier led to outrage from fans including Paul, 62, who called on writers to return it to working class roots. “It was about working-class life in a street but now it’s like Syria,” he said.
Crime writer Martina Cole, 58, a die-hard fan, demanded a return to the days of Ken and Deirdre and Mike Baldwin. And former Street actress Sherrie Hewson, 67, said she feared Corrie’s that glory days were over. The likes of Jack and Vera Duckworth used to be mainstays of the show.
When it was announced MacLeod was replacing Kate as producer, lifelong fan Karen Selfridge penned him a letter on a Corrie Facebook page begging him for a change of direction. she was expecting his baby after their fling while in Spain. Realising Alfie was still in love with Kat, Hayley said she would terminate the baby, but later changed her mind.
As her due date looms, Alfie gets in touch with Kat, who has no idea he is dad to her cousin’s baby. He lures Kat to a rendezvous where he plans a big surprise. Soap chiefs warn Kat’s claws may be out as his secret is set to come out.
Return
She wrote: “We long for balance, laughter and tears. Please show us your wit and pay homage to our beloved past characters.
“More substance of character and less sensationalism for ratings.
“We’re counting on you to make Corrie the number one show it was in the past with drama not bloodshed.
“Please, fewer scenes of drug addicts shooting up in church, and more old friends sneaking a drink in the ladies’ room.”
A source said: “Iain is aware of the responsibility he has to the Street’s loyal following.”