‘Coronation Street’ is set to become more "family friendly."
The long-running soap has been heavily criticised in recent months for its "dark" and chilling storylines – involving murder and grooming – and now bosses are keen to "mix the high drama with the comedy" to create an "emotional family domestic" show.
According to the Daily Star newspaper, some viewers have been switching off because they’ve had enough of Pat Phelan’s (Connor McIntyre) murderous ways.
And there have been so many complaints about the storyline that OfCom are reportedly looking into whether ITV have broken rules on "appropriate scheduling."
Following the recent backlash, bosses are looking for a new batch of writers to help bring the soap – which has been on air since 1960 – back to its traditional roots.
In an advert on ITV careers site, the producers are looking for aspiring writers to join a "storyliner workshop" but haven’t promised a permanent position will come of it.
The advert reads: "How would you like to work in the engine room of the world’s longest-running continuing drama? You will need to have a keen passion for ‘Corrie’, a flair for creative writing and love working in a tight-knit team, then come to our workshop and join our talent pool now! This is not an open vacancy you will only be contacted should a role become live that we would like to speak to you about, these are likely to be short term FTC or freelance opportunities."
Meanwhile, it’s not just the viewers who have had enough of the chilling storylines as Sue Cleaver – who plays Eileen Phelan in the show – has admitted she’s really struggling with the gripping plot twists she’s having to shoot for the programme at the moment because they’re becoming so "complicated", but she’s hoping bosses will give her some breathing space this year so she can go travelling.
Sue – who has appeared on the show for 24 years – explained: "It’s all getting very dark. It’s just too complicated at the moment. I’m so knackered. I’d love a break. I want to travel to China and Japan."
Coronation Street is become ‘family friendly’
