[Scarlett.]

CORRIE boss Kate Oates has quit the soap after growing pressure over controversial storylines and viewers’ complaints.

In January, we told how the show’s cast and crew were furious over a lack of awards and the dark direction it had gone in.

Some had labelled her a “dead woman walking” and long-serving stars were said to be unhappy about newer cast members being handed gritty storylines.

Kate, 38, confirmed to The Sun she had resigned after two years at the show’s helm, just four months after ITV tried to deny the initial story.

During her tenure, big-name stars Catherine Tyldesley, Shayne Ward and Debbie Rush have all quit.

Storylines featuring villain Pat Phelan, played by Connor McIntyre, 57, have also upset loyal fans, including Sir Michael Parkinson, 83.

A source said: “It was always a matter of when, not if, with Kate going, and now it’s been confirmed she’s leaving.

“There’s a feeling of jumping before she was pushed. But she is staying within the ITV family.

“The storylines she worked on, while rating successes, were very divisive among viewers and the cast and crew. Everyone is looking forward to seeing what the future on the soap looks like now.”

Kate is now moving to work on ITV cop series Bancroft, starring Sarah Parish, 49.

She said: “I’ll be forever grateful for this opportunity and all it has given me, but I’m also excited to try something new.”

She will be replaced by current Emmerdale show chief Iain MacLeod, who has led the show to a number of awards including a TV BAFTA and back-to-back National Television Award wins.

Iain will start his new role on Corrie, now Britain’s most popular soap, in June.

John Whiston, ITV Studios’ Creative Director, praised Kate’s “brilliant editorial touch” in dealing with the Bethany Platt grooming storyline, and David Platt’s rape.

The Sun

Wish ITV would stop giving their main soap the Emmerdale producers, who have likely used a lot of story ideas on Emmerdale already.

It's a very quick changeover this time, since Iain's first episodes will likely air July/August.

[Ross.]

I've really liked McLeod's work on Emmerdale so it's a shame he's going, hopefully the next producer continues the good work

Kate's vision was just too dark for a show like Corrie and that's ultimately been her downfall

[Denver]

I'd have her on EE but they storylines will just be rehashes of what she already done

[Scarlett.]

As much as I've liked Kate's storylines, the darkness in the show has felt unrelenting at times

[Rob!]

I’m actually sad about this. I’ve really enjoyed Corrie under Oates.

[Ross.]

Originally Posted by Rob!

I’m actually sad about this. I’ve really enjoyed Corrie under Oates.

You're the only one who has darling

[Scarlett.]

I've also mostly liked Oates work too, I have felt she pushes on the dark side of the soap a little to hard like the upcoming story twist where

Spoiler:

David is jailed

[Marsh.]

How strange.

Didn't she literally just say on This Morning that she has at least 12 months left on Corrie?

BBC stole ha?

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

How strange.

Didn't she literally just say on This Morning that she has at least 12 months left on Corrie?

BBC stole ha?

Yep, it was expected she'd leave next year, now she's suddenly leaving in June. She is going to become producer on another ITV Drama though

[Rob!]

Originally Posted by Ross.

You're the only one who has darling

Corrie has been consolidating to near 9m since Kate took over next to Eastenders' 6m so clearly not darling.

[Marsh.]

Not Corrie being lumbered with Emmerdale's cast-offs again?

[Rob!]

I'm sure the producer who threw acid in Ross Barton's face is going to be much more lighthearted than Kate Oates.

[Marsh.]

So Iain took some of Kate's work and beat people over the head with it (Robron, Ross) so I expect when he takes over he'll push David, Bethany and Carla/Peter even more.

[Rob!]

I'm worried for our Moira

[Rob!]

Mind you, a bit of mad axing could do Corrie the world of good.

[Scarlett.]

I hope Corrie gets a fresh producer in 2020 for the anniversary eps

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Rob!

Mind you, a bit of mad axing could do Corrie the world of good.

Fiz, Michelle, Sean, Tyrone, Maria all KILLED please.

Kate Oates to do a mass killing spree as one final act of darkness before she leaves?

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Rob!

I'm sure the producer who threw acid in Ross Barton's face is going to be much more lighthearted than Kate Oates.

She goes a bit overboard like with Billy, falling off a cliff wasnt enough, he also had to get addicted to painkillers and heroin before he got better, or David, he wasnt just raped, he also lost control in a boxing match and

Spoiler:

ends up in prison

[Marsh.]

Just read in the DS article that she's already gone.

Definitely a SOC-type mess here.

[Firewire]

She isn't welcome in Walford!

[LukeB]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Fiz, Michelle, Sean, Tyrone, Maria all KILLED please.

Kate Oates to do a mass killing spree as one final act of darkness before she leaves?

Revenge because no one likes her?

[Marsh.]

I might give Bancroft a go.

I imagine a producer like Kate Oates would probably work better in a serialised drama, as her type of vision can get muddled on a soap.

Like the production values of an 8 part drama would've probably made the Phelan plot brilliant and engrossing, but on Corrie it veered from laughable to ridiculous.

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Just read in the DS article that she's already gone.

Definitely a SOC-type mess here.

It's so odd, Blackburn drove the show into the ground, yet he didnt get kicked off

[Ross.]

Originally Posted by Rob!

Corrie has been consolidating to near 9m since Kate took over next to Eastenders' 6m so clearly not darling.

Quality over quantity, darling!

There has clearly been some backstage drama, along with all the criticism of the show from viewers and the icons

I'm Helen Worth threatening to quit getting Kate the sack

[Ross.]

Originally Posted by Rob!

I'm sure the producer who threw acid in Ross Barton's face is going to be much more lighthearted than Kate Oates.

But no one is saying Corrie can't have those stories? She just took it to extreme levels that just don't work with a show like Corrie, there's no heart