The beloved soap has been a mainstay on our televisions for decades now, but came under fire this week in a recent article by The Guardian<\/a>, which highlighted some of the issues former fans have with some of the \u201cdark, issues-based plots\u201d.<\/p>\n Well, Whiston has now responded to the analysis of the soap, and said in a statement to RadioTimes.com<\/a>: \u201cCoronation Street is, and always has been, a mixture of characters you love, earthy humour and stories that matter \u2013 such as the current Liam bullying storyline or the Lauren grooming storyline.<\/p>\n \u201cThe show is proud to explore important contemporary issues such as these, and our audience research shows that viewers really appreciate these stories and believe we deal with them in an engaging but responsible way \u2013 which is why Coronation Street continues to be the most-watched soap on British TV.\u201d<\/p>\n Whiston\u2019s defence of Coronation Street comes after the report in The Guardian claimed there was a \u201cviewer fatigue\u201d coming from too many crime-based plots and murders happening in Weatherfield.<\/p>\n One of the soap\u2019s most recognisable faces, Bruce Jones, played Les Battersby from 1997 to 2008 and said: \u201cThe writers we had were living Manchester city life.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not the actors\u2019 faults \u2013 they\u2019re all doing a good job for my money \u2013 but it\u2019s the writers that have changed. I actually think we\u2019ve lost that element of what Manchester life is all about.\u201d<\/p>\n Similarly, Beverley Callard, who starred as Liz McDonald for 31 years, revealed to the How to Be 60 podcast last year that she walked away from the soap because \u201cthe scripts weren\u2019t what they were\u201d.<\/p> As well as citing a lack of momentum in storytelling, an ever-growing cast of younger characters and bleak storylines, there\u2019s no denying that Coronation Street remains ever popular with its fans.<\/p>\n Often levied against the likes of Emmerdale and EastEnders, Coronation Street actually remains the most-watched soap of them all.<\/p>\n There\u2019s further exciting news for Corrie, not just in its storyline stakes, but behind the scenes \u2013 as Kate Brooks<\/a> has been appointed as the new series producer.<\/p>\n Brooks previously worked on Emmerdale and as a story producer on Coronation Street, having helped on some pretty major storylines including the minibus crash.<\/p>\n Speaking of her appointment, Brooks said: \u201cI\u2019ve had a wonderful time working on Emmerdale, and I feel immensely proud to be part of a team that has achieved such great success over the past eight years.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve absolutely loved my time on the show, and I\u2019ve had the privilege of working with such a hugely talented and hard-working bunch of people, who also happen to be the loveliest, too.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth professionally and personally, Emmerdale has given me so much more than I ever could have imagined, and for that I shall be eternally grateful. Thanks, Emmerdale, it\u2019s been an absolute pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Sean](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/emmerdale-gary-mason-dylan-3fb5567.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"emmerdale-gary-mason-dylan\\"\/")
\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>