Martina Cole has criticised 'Coronation Street' for its recent trend of darker, more drawn out storylines and has urged writers to bring back the fun.
Martina Cole
The successful crime writer - who has penned 22 books, including the likes of 'The Know' and 'Dangerous Woman' - has hit out at the ITV soap for its pacing and called for a return to the more light-hearted plots featuring comedic characters like Jack and Vera Duckworth.
Speaking to fan site Coronation Street Blog, Martina, 58, admitted she is a life-long viewer, but said: "The storylines go on too long, ie Phelan and Billy's drugs drama. Too many episodes and not enough storylines ... For me the wonder days of Ken and Deirdre and Baldwin need to be revisited. Those storylines could have done 20 episodes a week and I'd have happily watched, fabulous acting! The same goes for Hilda and Stan, Vera and Jack."
The author insists she isn't at the stage where she would tune out and is sure the plots will turn to things she enjoys soon enough.
Martina also reserved high praise for Elsie Tanner - played by Pat Phoenix - and hailed her as the best character in the soap's near 58-year history.
She said: "She was a big, brash and beautiful woman who fought for her family even though she knew their failings better than anyone else. A very strong woman and I adored her."
Meanwhile, even Sue Cleaver - who plays Eileen Phelan in the show - has admitted she's really struggling with the gripping plot twists she's having to shoot for the programme at the moment because they're becoming so "complicated", but she's hoping bosses will give her some breathing space this year so she can go travelling.
Sue - who has appeared on the show for 24 years - explained: "It's all getting very dark. It's just too complicated at the moment. I'm so knackered. I'd love a break. I want to travel to China and Japan."
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