Corrie writer 'proud' of Hayley Cropper

Coronation Street scriptwriter Damon Rochefort has expressed pride over the soap's handling of gay and transgender issues.

Rochefort told The Independent that he is particularly pleased by the impact of long-standing transsexual character Hayley Cropper (Julie Hesmondhalgh), who has become a fan favourite since her introduction in 1998.

He said: "Julie does an amazing job and gets a lot of support from the transgender community - lots of quite moving letters."

The writer also praised the depiction of Gail Platt's (Helen Worth) father Ted Page, played by Michael Byrne, as a gay man who had left his wife and not had contact with his grandchildren.

Issues surrounding gay roles on British television were due to be discussed at the Screenwriters' Festival in Cheltenham yesterday.

Coronation Street established Todd Grimshaw (Bruno Langley) as its first gay character in 2003. Other subsequent homosexual roles on the show have included Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) and Marcus Dent (Charlie Condou).