Corrie boss: 'We must keep it working-class'

Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn says the soap must stay true to its working-class roots.

Stuart tells TV Times that he wants to ensure that the show never forgets its initial goal, to portray working class-life in northern England.

Asked how he planned to take Coronation Street forward, he replied: "By going backwards and taking inspiration from the very first episode of Coronation Street.

"That was an attempt to dramatise what life was like for working-class people in northern England, and that shouldn't change.

"Yes, it's the 21st century and things are different now, but I want to take Corrie back to being about the loves and lives and experiences of working-class Britain.

"It's not that we've ever drifted away from that, but I try to remind myself about it every day."

Stuart went on to say he didn't want the soap to ever become a sitcom: "I'm against 'comedy characters,' because comedy should be part of the drama. Coronation Street isn't a sitcom, it's a drama."

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough.

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

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