Coronation Street and Emmerdale appoint new Producers

Coronation Street and Emmerdale appoint new Producers

- Kate Oates appointed new Producer for Coronation Street

- Iain MacLeod appointed new Producer for Emmerdale

- Stuart Blackburn moves on to further drama projects

ITV and ITV Studios today confirmed Kate Oates has been appointed new Producer of Coronation Street, as Stuart Blackburn moves on to further drama projects for ITV Studios.

Iain MacLeod will become the new Emmerdale Producer. This appointment will take effect at the end of this year, whilst Kate will join Coronation Street in the New Year.

A former Producer of Radio 4's The Archers from 2003-2010, Kate has successfully produced Emmerdale since January 2013. She previously worked as Coronation Street's Assistant Producer following a stint as Emmerdale's Story Editor and is passionate about both soaps.

I'm delighted to accept the role as Coronation Street's new Producer, said Kate. 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.

Born and raised in Nottingham, Kate is a graduate in English and Theatre from Warwick University and began her career as researcher and editorial assistant to Germaine Greer before joining Carlton Television as a researcher and script editor working on Crossroads, which then led to the offer of a position on The Archers.

She has most recently produced Emmerdale's compelling helicopter disaster episodes, which earned the rural soap praise from TV critics and the audience alike and has helped Emmerdale to grow its audience share year on year. Kate has also been responsible for overseeing powerfully challenging storylines such as Gennie's murder and the Woolpack siege, Robert Sugden's repressed sexuality, Laurel's descent into alcoholism, Alicia dealing with sexual assault by troubled teenager Lachlan and the love triangle at the very heart of the show involving Debbie and brothers Pete and Ross Barton, a fraternal feud which turned murderous of late when Pete left Ross for dead.

Managing Director, Continuing Drama John Whiston commented: Everywhere you go these days everyone is talking about Emmerdale. Kate Oates has been responsible for the show's on-going resurgence. She has that rare combination, a sharp editorial eye for a compelling story together with deep understanding of what drives characters caught up in such drama.

He continued: As a result, under her leadership, Emmerdale has reached new heights and importantly, new audiences. Kate has done this without sacrificing either the credibility or the humour for which Emmerdale has always been renowned. Steeped in the sheep dip of soap, she is the ideal person to take Corrie on to its next phase.

Coronation Street's current Producer, Stuart Blackburn will remain with ITV and ITV Studios. Leeds based Stuart will continue to produce Coronation Street until he leaves in the New Year including producing the live episode on Wednesday 23 September 2015, which celebrates ITV's 60th birthday. Stuart is the only Producer in modern soap history to produce two live episodes and also guided Coronation Street to two successive BAFTA wins.

A drama graduate of Birmingham University, Stuart initially joined Emmerdale in 2009 as Story Editor and became its producer in 2010 including producing Emmerdale's hour-long live episode in October 2012 as well as the ground-breaking Aaron and Jackson assisted suicide story.

During his time as Coronation Street's Producer Stuart has overseen an array of significantly memorable storylines. These have included the death of Hayley Cropper, a story which led the national debate about the right to die', the devastating minibus crash in which Underworld factory worker Sinead suffered serious spinal injuries and had to learn to walk again, the explosive fire at Carla's flat in Victoria Court in which Kal and Maddie tragically lost their lives and the introduction of Kylie's ex and scumbag drug dealer Callum who is currently terrorising the Platt family.

I've loved every minute of producing Coronation Street, said Stuart. 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, added Stuart.

He continued: 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.

During Stuart's time as Producer Coronation Street's success has not only achieved recognition from the viewers but also industry peers winning a string of prestigious television awards including, the National Television Award for Serial Drama, the RTS Award for Best Soap and Continuing Drama, the Broadcast Award for Best Soap and Continuing Drama and two BAFTA Awards for Best Soap and Continuing Drama.

Commented John Whiston:

Under Stuart, Corrie has b

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