Kym Marsh feels "sad" about Kate Oates leaving ‘Coronation Street’.
The 41-year-old star is going to "miss" the series producer when she departs the cobbles in June, partly because she has had her "best time" on the ITV soap as Michelle Connor during her boss’ two-year reign.
She said: "I was sad to hear that Corrie’s producer Kate Oates is leaving the show after two years. I’ve had the best time while she’s been there.
"I’ve done my most challenging work and I’ve been given some amazing opportunities and I’ve really enjoyed working with her as the captain – I’m going to miss her."
Kate has come under fire from some of the soap’s supporters following a number of dark ‘Corrie’ plots – including Pat Phelan’s (Connor McIntyre) killing spree and David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) being raped – but Kym doesn’t think the show should suddenly include more comedic storylines following her June departure.
She said: "Following the news of Kate’s departure some people have said that ‘Corrie’ needs to return to its comedy roots, which is frustrating as there are still lots of comedy moments on the show.
"We’re doing more high drama but that’s true of all soaps. We need to move with the times and target audiences of all ages.
"You can’t please everyone and the ratings speak for themselves – they’re higher now than they have been for a long time."
Michelle looks set to be Phelan’s next victim following reports the evil serial killer will gun her down on her wedding day to Robert Preston (Tristan Gemmil), and while Kym has remained coy on the speculation, she has been shooting some "very dramatic scenes" recently.
Writing in her OK! magazine column, she added: "I can tell you that I have been filming some very dramatic scenes lately.
"It’s been really full on at ‘Corrie’, so to shake off the stress after a day of intense filming I’ll have a cuppa and then drive home with the tunes turned up loud."