Coronation Street star Helen Worth has defended the soap's darker storylines, insisting that they are proving popular with viewers.

The ITV1 show has tackled a number of gritty subject matters in recent months, including Carla Connor's tragic rape plot and Frank Foster's death.

Worth, who plays Gail McIntyre, has now praised Coronation Street's producer Phil Collinson for coming up with "fantastic" plots since taking office in 2010.

Speaking to Radio Times, she commented: "He's remarkable. And he's done some amazing things in the past two years and written some fantastic storylines. And they just keep coming. I don't know how, but thank goodness they do."

Asked whether there is too much crime on Coronation Street, she replied: "People turn on to see it, so it can't be all wrong, can it? I'm not too worried about Gail ever finding happiness because being happy doesn't make for good stories."

Gail's current storylines are centring around her concern for mum Audrey (Sue Nicholls), as she will soon discover that the salon boss has let charmer Lewis Archer (Nigel Havers) back into her affections.

Worth said: "Sue and I have been working together since 1979 and to still be there and having so much fun - well, it couldn't be better."

Coronation Street pulled in 10.6m viewers earlier this week as Frank's killer was unmasked.