Kate Oates new Coronation Street producer

[Perdita]

Big changes are ahead for Coronation Street and Emmerdale as both soaps will be getting new producers.

Coronation Street is bringing in Emmerdale's current boss Kate Oates to take charge at the show, replacing Stuart Blackburn in the post.

Meanwhile, current Hollyoaks series producer Iain MacLeod will be taking over from Oates as the new producer of Emmerdale.

Oates will start work at Coronation Street in the New Year, when Blackburn moves on to other drama projects for ITV Studios. She has been producing Emmerdale since 2013, but also previously worked on Corrie as assistant producer.

"I'm delighted to accept the role as Coronation Street's new producer," Oates said today. "It's really exciting to be moving from one amazing soap to another and I feel very blessed.

"Emmerdale is an exceptional programme and I've thoroughly enjoyed working with the cast, writers and crew. They are some of the absolute best in the business and it's been a privilege to work with such dedicated, hard-working and creative people, and make some life-long friends in the process.

"But as much as Emmerdale has meant the world to me, Corrie also has a special place in my heart."

Discussing his upcoming exit from Weatherfield, Blackburn commented: "I've loved every minute of producing Coronation Street. What a rollercoaster ride the last three years has been. We've met every challenge along the way and I can't praise the cast, crew and writers highly enough for rising to the occasion with each storyline.

"Whether it's been the hilarity of Sally and Tim's relationship, Carla's descent into gambling addiction, or highlighting Simon Barlow's abuse of Leanne, each story has been incredibly well crafted, directed and performed to the highest of television production standards.

"I'm in awe of everyone I work with and can't thank them enough for the last three years. For the next few months my focus will remain entirely on all things Corrie, as we have massive stories coming up taking us in to the spring and summer of 2016. I wish my friend Kate well in her role as she takes on one of the best jobs in television."

MacLeod, who has worked as series producer at Hollyoaks since 2013, will start work at Emmerdale at the end of the year. He has previously served ITV as a researcher and story editor at Coronation Street between 2009 and 2013.

"Taking the reins of a programme in such rude health is both highly exciting and a mouth-watering challenge, and I could not be more delighted to be tasked with taking Emmerdale forward," MacLeod said.

"To work on a show with such pedigree, such brilliant characters and storytelling, and with such a talented team already in place is a dream for anyone in my line of work and I can't wait to get cracking."

[maidmarian]

previously " reseacher and story editor" on
both Corrie and ED .Oh dear!

I wont prejudge - as dont know what stories/
when he was involved in.
I look forward to less loopholes and
more accuracy!!

[TaintedLove]

previously " reseacher and story editor" on
both Corrie and ED .Oh dear!

I wont prejudge - as dont know what stories/
when he was involved in.
I look forward to less loopholes and
more accuracy!!

I won`t prejudge Iain`s work either as I haven`t watched Hollyoaks in years (since the mad priest went on a rampage). But from what I`ve witnessed on message boards, his work on Hollyoaks has been a real ratings winner the past few years.
I wish him well for Emmerdale, and I am optimistic he will do a good job. He has some huge shoes to fill in Emmerdale though. On the whole, I did Kate did a brilliant job in Emmerdale. Some of the storylines there has really kept me gripped since she`s been at the helm.
I wish her and Iain evry sucess. The Hat can get stuffed for all I care. At least he won`t be ruining Downton Abbey, as they`ve already filmed the final eps.

[Kim]

Is it just a shuffling system at ITV now? You've been a producer of Emmerdale for x years so it's time we moved you to Corrie. Then you can go elsewhere.

I'm a firm believer that a person should only be a producer on one soap. It's not foulproof, but I do think the soaps are a lot better when producers haven't come from other soaps. Stuart Blackburn and Bryan Kirkwood are both disaster zones.

[Perdita]

I must admit, it must be becoming more and more difficult to bring in new storylines and even those they have shown which would normally go on for years are being cut short, I guess to stop audience from getting too bored when faced with reality. I wish the producers good luck and hope they can keep the long running soaps going

[Dazzle]

I hope this is good news for Corrie as it really needs a shake-up. Long gone are the days when it was compulsive viewing, although for me personally it hasn't reached the nadir that EE did before DTC came on board.

Quite a few characters need axing in my view, as well as an improvement in writing and storytelling.