Fern Britton has called for 'Coronation Street' to be "saved" - claiming the soap is "unsuitable for pre-watershed".
Fern Britton
The show was hit with 122 Ofcom complaints after Friday night's (16.03.18) double bill in which Josh Tucker (Ryan Clayton) raped David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd), and while footage of the actual crime was not shown on screen, the former 'This Morning' co-host thinks not showing the "degradation" was "worse".
She tweeted: "Is it looking for a post watershed slot? Not witnessing the graphic horror/degradation/shame/pain of sexual abuse is worse than seeing it. Unsuitable for pre watershed @ITV #SaveOurCorrie (sic)"
The 60-year-old TV presenter has called for the show to ditch its dark plots and bring back some "fun and laughter".
In response to a former viewer who said the show used to have a "warm spirit" and "a lot of humour", she tweeted back: "It did! Now it's brain tumour, testicular cancer, kidney transplant, ms, and bipolar all in one dollop. Plus paedophile grooming, and now male sexual abuse. Not to mention heroin addicted vicar, serial killer and psycho child ...,,, I want fun and laughter, love and heart break (sic)"
When one fan suggested the soap had "lost its warmth and humour", she replied: "Yes [sad emoji]"
But Fern admitted the acting and writing on the soap has been "top notch", after one 'Corrie' fan heaped praise on the "amazing actors" on the show.
She wrote: "I totally agree with you. The writing, the performances and all are top notch. But is it @itvcorrie (sic)"
This comes after the soap's series producer Kate Oates hit back at recent 'Corrie' criticism after the rape storyline kicked off on Friday night.
In response to TV legend Sir Michael Parkinson blasting the soap for its violent and "gruesome" storylines, she said: "What I go on is our viewing figures, they are up year on year. My bosses seem happy with that, I'm happy with that.
"Everyone is entitled to an opinion, I would love it if Parky still loved the show as much as he did in the 60s but I do think things have moved on and that's OK."
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