Corrie writers unhappy with time change

Coronation Street scriptwriters have voiced their concerns over ITV's decision to merge their two Monday night episodes.

The scheduling change has seen the 7.30pm edition amalgamated with the later show for the past two weeks, creating an hour-long special starting at 8.30pm.

The writers have arranged a meeting with ITV's programming director Nigel Pickard, as they believe that the move is an attempt to boost Celebrity Love Island's flagging ratings.

Last Monday's episode (6th June) which aired at 8.30pm gained 9.97 million viewers with a 43.2% audience share. Emmerdale, which aired an hour earlier in Corrie's standard 7.30pm slot, achieved 9.25 million viewers - a 49.1% share.

Last month, however, Coronation Street pulled 10.91 million viewers when aired at its usual time - equating to 53.7% of the audience.

Chief writer John Fay told Broadcast magazine: "Moving Monday's episode is the straw that broke the camel's back. It's madness to hobble a tried and tested thoroughbred by tying it to something heading for the knackers' yard."

He added: "Many of us have worked on the show for years. We feel we are the custodians of its future and we feel that it risks being damaged."

His co-writer, Daran Little, also commented: "Coronation Street is a joy to work on and the awards prove it's a joy to watch. It's a national treasure and as such sometimes needs defending from those who undervalue it or are prepared to mortgage it in the short term without a view to the long term."