Ex-Corrie and Emmerdale producer Kate Oates is moving to EastEnders

Coronation Street, Kate Oates

After previously giving both Coronation Street and Emmerdale a boost, soapland producer Kate Oates will next work her magic on EastEnders.

Having already waved her magic wand over ITV's Emmerdale and Coronation Street, award-winning producer Kate Oates is switching channels to become Senior Executive Producer overseeing BBC One's EastEnders, Casualty and Holby City.

At EastEnders, Kate will be taking over from current show boss John Yorke who returned to temporarily run the soap last June, and is moving onto another soon-to-be-announced BBC project.

"Working across EastEnders, Casualty and Holby City is an amazing opportunity for me to have creative input into three of the UK's leading dramas," says Kate. "I'm excited about meeting the teams and talent behind each show and can't wait to get stuck in and tell some unmissable stories."

Kate left her role as Corrie producer earlier this year, after finally seeing serial killer Pat Phelan meet his maker at the hands of Anna Windass and a kitchen knife, and has since been producing Series 2 of ITV's crime thriller Bancroft, which stars Sarah Parish.

During her time on Emmerdale, Kate masterminded such storylines as killer Cameron Murray's murder spree, introduced the expanded Barton family, caused shockwaves with the village helicopter crash and started a debate around storylines involving Val Pollard's diagnosis with HIV, Alicia Gallagher sexually assaulted by teenager Lachlan White and village vicar Ashley Thomas learning he has dementia.

"Kate's track record for making continuing drama the nation's most talked about TV is unrivalled and we are thrilled to welcome her dynamic creative leadership to EastEnders, Holby City and Casualty," says Piers Wenger, Controller, BBC Drama. "Working closely with John Yorke in the coming months, we are particularly excited to see Kate unveil her plans for the residents of Albert Square. She's going to be brilliant."

Simon Timblick
Writer

Simon has long been a fan of soap operas, and especially loves OVER-THE-TOP plots involving evil twins, hair-pulling catfights and natural disasters.

Anyone remember the Sunset Beach earthquake/tidal wave?

Or when Krystle Carrington got locked in the attic and replaced by look-a-like Rita in Dynasty?!


Simon has written for a variety of TV and childrens’ magazines/websites including Inside Soap, Nickelodeon, What’s On TV, Radio Times, Metro, Girl Talk, Disney Girl, Toxic! and Digital Spy.

He has reported LIVE from the red carpet at The British Soap Awards interviewing glammed-up stars from soapland, and hosted a Facebook LIVE session for Metro with Home and Away legend Ray Meagher (Alf "Stone the flamin' crows!" Stewart) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Aussie soap.


Simon is also co-author of The Treasures Of Coronation Street (Carlton Books)


And the writer and director of (very!) low budget fright flick, Midsummer Night's EVIL and the sequel webisodes series, The Hatchet Woods HORROR.