'Coronation Street' boss refutes 'gay agenda' claims

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson has claimed that accusations the show focuses on gay characters too much would not have been made if he was not gay himself.

The former Doctor Who producer took over the ITV1 soap in July 2010. Recent tabloid claims have suggested that some viewers are unhappy with the number of gay characters who are featured in the Manchester serial.

"I think this is something that I do have to tackle quite head-on," Collinson said on BBC Breakfast. "I am gay myself. I'm the first gay producer of the show for many, many years.

"This accusation would not be able to be levelled at the show if I weren't in charge. I really fundamentally believe that."

He continued: "Those are absolutely the stories that came out across the weekend; linking the fact that there are gay storylines in Coronation Street with the fact that I am gay myself."

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There are currently only two gay couples on the street; Sean Tully and Marcus Dent, and Sophie Webster and Sian Powers. James Barlow (James Roache), who is currently involved in Sophie and Sian's charity fraud plot, is also openly gay.

"I just think that a lot of the press that has appeared would not have been able to have been directed at the showrunner myself, the producer of the show, had I not been gay myself," Collinson concluded.

Corrie newcomer Michelle Collins yesterday insisted that there is "no gay agenda", saying that characters such as Sean, Sophie and Hayley are among the "most popular" with viewers.

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