Corrie has come in for a lot of criticism recently after a run of hard-hitting dark storylines. But it seems the viewers have been complaining about the show for much longer.
A Corrie fan called Lewis Pringle has unearthed an amazing story from the Daily Mirror in 1975 that reveals soap fans weren’t happy with the show back then – because it was too nasty!
For those criticising #Corrie, don’t worry it was being criticised in 1975 for “nastiness” and lack of humour. pic.twitter.com/CtnFwHFFvk
— Lewis Pringle (@lewispringle) 22 March 2018
Phelan’s murderous campaign round the Street, Bethany’s sexual exploitation, and David Platt’s rape, have all attracted criticism from viewers recently.
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But in 1975, fans were just as cross about a run of stories they weren’t enjoying.
Elsie Tanner’s exit had annoyed viewers, and there had been a shocking arson attack marking the show’s 15th anniversary, in which a character called Edna Gee was killed off.
The story has a quote from Kathy Staff – better known as Nora Batty in Last of the Summer Wine – who played Vera Hopkins in the show.
“There’s so much nastiness,” she said. “Can’t they see there’s humour in real life as well?”
There have been lots of controversial stories over the years. Rita’s abuse at the hands of Alan Bradley – and Alan’s death in Blackpool was shocking. Brian Tilsley – Sarah Platt’s real dad – was stabbed outside a nightclub and died. Ken Barlow and Mike Baldwin fought over Deirdre Barlow’s affections.
And of course later there were the horrific Richard Hillman murders.
Back in 2018 and Corrie’s come in for lots of criticism over recent gruesome stories.
Former star Bruce Jones, who played Les Battersby, said it had gone “too far” and more than 500 viewers complained to Ofcom about Phelan’s murders – though the complaints weren’t upheld.
But the brilliant story from more than 40 years ago shows that Corrie’s always had its fair share of criticism – and it’s kept going despite the viewers’ complaints.
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And that shows it must be doing something right!
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