'Coronation Street' Boss Kate Oates Announces Departure After String Of Controversial Storylines

Just last month she insisted she was 'not going anywhere'.

Coronation Streetā€™s 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 ā€œnot going anywhereā€.

Kate Oates is leaving her role as executive producer of 'Coronation Street'
Kate Oates is leaving her role as executive producer of 'Coronation Street'
ITV

Since joining the ITV soap from rival ā€˜Emmerdaleā€™ two years ago, she has overseen some huge moments, including Pat Phelanā€™s reign of terror over the Street, Bethany Plattā€™s grooming storyline, and most recently, David Plattā€™s rape.

While the plots have made an impact - with calls to rape charity Survivors Manchester increasing by 1700% since Davidā€™s 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 ā€˜Bancroftā€™ starring Sarah Parrish. She will be replaced on ā€˜Coronation Streetā€™ by current ā€˜Emmerdaleā€™ exec producer Iain McLeod.

'Corrie' fans have bemoaned recent dark storylines, including David Platt's rape
'Corrie' fans have bemoaned recent dark storylines, including David Platt's rape
ITV Pictures

Kate said in a statement: ā€œBeing a part of ā€˜Coronation 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 Iā€™ve had a ball working with one of the best and most talented teams in television.

ā€œIā€™ll be forever grateful for this opportunity and all it has given me; but Iā€™m also excited to try something new. I canā€™t wait to make a start on ā€˜Bancroftā€™, working with the brilliant Sarah Parish and Tall Story Pictures - and Iā€™ll continue to love watching both ITV soaps from the comfort of my sofa.ā€

However, just last month, she told the Daily Star she wouldnā€™t let criticism force her out of a job.

ā€œIā€™m not going anywhere,ā€ she said. ā€œThe showā€™s in a good place, the figures are up year on year.

ā€œIā€™ve become more resilient to criticism. It drives me a little nuts but goes with the territory.ā€

News of Kateā€™s departure has been met with with a mixed reaction from fans - some are relieved to see her go:

Reports say Kate Oates has left #CoronationStreet Oh I hope it's true! Who will replace her? Hopefully someone who can fix all the damage she's done to our beloved show! #CoronationStreetCanada #Corrie

ā€” Petra (@chuchiface) April 24, 2018

Kate Oates has done some brilliant things since sheā€™s been in charge of Corrie, but I do think sometimes she crosses the line of what is necessary for the sake of shock value

ā€” Matt (@unitedkanamixer) April 22, 2018

I'm delighted Kate Oates is leaving Coronation Street but nervous that Iain McLeod is leaving Emmerdale to replace her. Emmerdale's winning team at the pinnacle of success being broken up.

ā€” Romremsyl (@romremsyl) April 24, 2018

Thank the lord Kate Oates is going! Coronation Street @itvcorrie might finally get better and more realisitic #KateOates #Emmerdale #CoronationStreet #newproducer

ā€” Andy Sugden (@AndySugden2017) April 24, 2018

Waking up to the news Kate Oates has gone is like a ray of sun breaking through the gloomy sky @CoroStreetBlog #corrie

ā€” GillianS (@GillianSkerritt) April 24, 2018

Others are sad about her exit, praising her good work on the soap, which has seen ratings improve over the last year:

i wish the people complaining about kate oates would realize how many people sheā€™s actually helped with her storylines. they arenā€™t to dark, theyā€™re just real life. david, bethany and ranaā€™s storylines have helped thousands of people. that shouldnā€™t be taken away.

ā€” casey (@caseycsd18) April 23, 2018

We wouldnā€™t have them if it wasnā€™t for Kate Oates please come back šŸ˜­šŸ˜­ pic.twitter.com/2btmXFPWMM

ā€” kayleigh (@x_kayleighx_x) April 23, 2018

kate oates has gone from ā€œnot going anywhereā€ to ā€œquittingā€ within a month. i feel sad thinking about that šŸ’”

ā€” tanisha (@TanishaChloe_x) April 23, 2018

I had the honour in meeting #KateOates a couple years ago, she's one of the most down-to-earth chilled out people I've ever had a conversation with. @ITVCorrie is going to suffer without her. This is a sad day for Weatherfield.
I wish her the best of luck for the future.#Corrie pic.twitter.com/LUetMDoNts

ā€” Andy Gibson ā— Independent TV Journalist (@AndyGibsonTV) April 23, 2018

Such a shame Kate Oates is leaving #Corrie - it's been great since she stepped in. And she was the one who kickstarted some of the best #Emmerdale storylines ever.

ā€” Rose Hill šŸ¤Ø (@rosemhill) April 23, 2018

There were also some who worried about Corrieā€™s future under Iainā€™s watch:

ā€œShe will be replaced by current Emmerdale show chief Iain MacLeodā€

Horrendous news. If Corrie becomes as unwatchable as Emmerdale...

ā€” Ryan Love (@RyanJL) April 23, 2018

So Kate Oates quits #Corrie to be replaced by the guy who tried to do what she did but much worse on #Emmerdale. Good luck, Corrie...

ā€” guestofseth (@guestofseth) April 23, 2018

Those people saying that Kate Oates was a horrible producer is about to see the difference between her work & Iain's. Corrie is about to take a huge swan dive in quality. Say what you want about Kate, but the lady produces quality work. Something Iain is incapable of. #robron

ā€” Bombom3 (@Robronsuperf) April 23, 2018

Kate Oates leaving is sad news. Now I'm scared that Iain McLeod could ruin Kana with some sad cheating plot like he did with Robron. Even though they're back together, I just don't wanna see ANYTHING like that happen with Kana. I'm not okay. šŸ˜žšŸ˜©

ā€” Shannon (@KingdomFan21) April 23, 2018

Of joining ā€˜Coronation Streetā€™, Iain said: ā€œWorking on ā€˜Emmerdaleā€™ at a time when itā€™s enjoyed such success has been a total joy and I will miss the people and the place immensely - itā€™s a special show full of huge talent.

ā€œOnly ā€˜Corrieā€™ 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. Itā€™ll 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 ā€˜Emmerdaleā€™ by current ITV Drama Commissioner Jane Hudson, having helped lead the show to Bafta and NTA glory during his tenure.

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