Ben Price backs darker Corrie plots

{jcomments on}Coronation Street actor Ben Price, who plays Nick Tilsley, has backed the soaps grittier and darker storylines.

The soap has, in recent months, come under for a succession of unpopular – sometimes dark – storylines such as the John Stape saga who went from school-teacher to serial killer in a long, ‘tedious’ plot. The saga recently took a further twist when his wife Fiz was arrested for the murders he committed and is now in prison awaiting trial. Viewers and the press have been quick to criticise such storylines but actor Ben Price claims the soap is merely giving viewers what they want.

“I think the show has definitely steered away from what it started as, but it was launched in black and white. If you don’t move on or try anything new you’ll still be stuck in black and white with Ena Sharples and Elsie Tanner sweeping up the street……..it’s 50 years old and you have to keep coming up with new storylines to keep the audience involved and interested. The viewing figures are actually up and the audience clearly like these shocking storylines, as they’re watching them. That’s what matters……We’re probably going into the arena that used to be occupied solely by EastEnders and I think people are perhaps making a bit too much of it all. It’s good to have been talking about it, we shouldn’t forget that.” – Ben Price talking to Bang Showbiz.

Over the past month Coronation Street has been the subject of a string of negative tabloid stories ranging from declining viewing figures, the poor reception of Michelle Collins’ character of Stella and the number of LGBT characters within the soap. Producer Phil Collinson has appeared on several shows to defend the soap amidst the criticisms but last week admitted the ITV soap had featured “too many” crime related stories. Original cast member William Roache also defended Corrie during an appearance on This Morning but former co-stars Johnny Briggs and Ken Morley have both slammed the soap to the press.

ATV Today’s poll this week is asking you whether Corrie has lost the plot and gone down-hill. Voting couldn’t be easier – the poll is located on the left side of our site. Select your choice and click vote.