Coronation Street producer Kate Oates has confirmed that she's leaving the ITV soap after two years, saying it has been "one of the best experiences" of her life.
The producer, who is moving to work with ITV production company Tall Story Pictures, will be replaced by current Emmerdale boss Iain MacLeod in June.
Oates said in an official statement: "Being a part of Coronation Street has quite simply been one of the best experiences of my life. I am proud of the stories we have told and the impact they have had – and I've had a ball working with one of the best and most talented teams in television.
"I'll be forever grateful for this opportunity and all it has given me, but I'm also excited to try something new. I can't wait to make a start on Bancroft, working with the brilliant Sarah Parish and Tall Story Pictures – and I'll continue to love watching both ITV soaps from the comfort of my sofa."
Memorable Corrie plots under Oates' tenure include David Platt's male rape storyline, Bethany's grooming plotline and Pat Phelan's reign of terror in Weatherfield.
ITV Studios' creative director for Coronation Street and Emmerdale John Whiston said: "Kate Oates has transformed Coronation Street during her tenure.
"This has been reflected both in the huge critical acclaim the show has been getting and in the ratings. We are now used to opening the overnights and seeing Coronation Street has delivered its highest ratings for many years, a Herculean achievement in this box set era."
He added: "Kate has done this whilst putting on screen some groundbreaking and socially important stories such as the Bethany grooming story and David's rape story.
"It is a testament to her brilliant editorial touch that these stories, though difficult, have been both credible and engaging. Meanwhile, Kate has unleashed on us one of the finest villains in soap history with Pat Phelan and his dastardly deeds."
Oates recently defended Corrie's dark storylines, saying: "We're telling stories and some stories are challenging and that's the way it's always been.
"You could be rose-tinted in your views of Corrie history and other soap history. There's always been challenging stories and we're carrying on that tradition."
Meanwhile, producer Iain MacLeod said of taking over the reins at Corrie: "Working on Emmerdale at a time when it's enjoyed such success has been a total joy and I will miss the people and the place immensely – it's a special show full of huge talent.
"Only Corrie could have tempted me away. It gave me my first job in TV as an assistant researcher many years ago and to be returning as producer is the fulfilment of a long-standing dream.
"It'll be like a reunion with an old friend and I look forward to continuing the amazing work already being done by everyone connected with the show."
