Corrie chief 'doesn't regret' affair plot

Coronation Street's leading producer Kim Crowther has insisted that she has 'no regrets' over the soap's infidelity storyline involving Kevin Webster and Molly Dobbs.

In an interview with DS, Crowther explained that she is proud of the plot after seeing it provoke strong reactions from viewers in recent months.

The story began last year when Kevin and Molly, played by Michael Le Vell and Vicky Binns, betrayed their respective partners Sally (Sally Whittaker) and Tyrone (Alan Halsall) by starting an affair. They have since split following the news that Sally has breast cancer, though further twists in the tale will air over the coming months.

Since the plotline began, some Coronation Street fans have complained that the relationship is unrealistic and that cheating is out of character for Molly.

However, responding to the criticism, Crowther commented: "I don't regret creating a big story that has people on the edge of their seats shouting at the television because that's what I'm here to do.

"I think it's made the characters involved very interesting and I know people don't like it because it touches something in our souls about how we would feel being betrayed ourselves. I think it's interesting because it happens up and down the country - people copping off with each other's husbands and partners in the school playground and God knows where else!"

She continued: "It's a little slice of real life, and it's happening all around us whether we like it or not. They may not be the usual suspects for an affair but they are real characters who we know well, love and care about. They are doing things that are despicable, which makes us uncomfortable.

"The fact there are three marriages in this story - the third one being Tyrone and Kevin - how could he do that to his best mate? - is another reason why this story has more richness than other affair stories that we sometimes play. I absolutely stand by it."

> Click here to read our interview with Kim Crowther
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