Coronation Streetās top boss Kate Oates is leaving the soap following a string of controversial storylines.
The executive producer announced she will be moving on from the cobbles just a month after insisting she was ānot going anywhereā.
Since joining the ITV soap from rival āEmmerdaleā two years ago, she has overseen some huge moments, including Pat Phelanās reign of terror over the Street, Bethany Plattās grooming storyline, and most recently, David Plattās rape.
While the plots have made an impact - with calls to rape charity Survivors Manchester increasing by 1700% since Davidās story began - many long-term fans have bemoaned the darker direction the show has gone in during recent times.
It has now been confirmed Kate will be leaving, and will work on the second series of ITV drama āBancroftā starring Sarah Parrish. She will be replaced on āCoronation Streetā by current āEmmerdaleā exec producer Iain McLeod.
Kate said in a statement: āBeing a part of āCoronation Streetā has quite simply been one of the best experiences of my life. I am proud of the stories we have told and the impact they have had - and Iāve had a ball working with one of the best and most talented teams in television.
āIāll be forever grateful for this opportunity and all it has given me; but Iām also excited to try something new. I canāt wait to make a start on āBancroftā, working with the brilliant Sarah Parish and Tall Story Pictures - and Iāll continue to love watching both ITV soaps from the comfort of my sofa.ā
However, just last month, she told the Daily Star she wouldnāt let criticism force her out of a job.
āIām not going anywhere,ā she said. āThe showās in a good place, the figures are up year on year.
āIāve become more resilient to criticism. It drives me a little nuts but goes with the territory.ā
News of Kateās departure has been met with with a mixed reaction from fans - some are relieved to see her go:
Others are sad about her exit, praising her good work on the soap, which has seen ratings improve over the last year:
There were also some who worried about Corrieās future under Iainās watch:
Of joining āCoronation Streetā, Iain said: āWorking on āEmmerdaleā at a time when itās enjoyed such success has been a total joy and I will miss the people and the place immensely - itās a special show full of huge talent.
āOnly āCorrieā could have tempted me away. It gave me my first job in TV as an assistant researcher many years ago and to be returning as producer is the fulfilment of a longstanding dream. Itāll be like a reunion with an old friend and I look forward to continuing the amazing work already being done by everyone connected with the show.ā
Iain will be succeeded on āEmmerdaleā by current ITV Drama Commissioner Jane Hudson, having helped lead the show to Bafta and NTA glory during his tenure.