The video will start in 8 Cancel

Don't miss out on the biggest soaps gossip! Get a daily email direct to your inbox with our newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Coronation Street boss Kate Oates has 'quit' the soap after controversial story lines have sparked huge umbers of complaints from viewers.

The boss, who has been at the helm of the soap for just two years, has seen big named stars such as Catherine Tyldesley, Shayne Ward and Debbie Rush quit the soap during her fairly short tenue.

According to The Sun, Kate, 38, resigned just four months after ITV, Coronation Street's parent channel, tried to deny the initial story about her departure.

(Image: ITV)

A source told The Sun : "It was always a matter of when, not if, with Kate going, and now it’s been confirmed she’s leaving.

"There’s a feeling of jumping before she was pushed. But she is staying within the ITV family.

"The storylines she worked on, while rating successes, were very divisive among viewers and the cast and crew. Everyone is looking forward to seeing what the future on the soap looks like now."

(Image: ITV)

The soap has included numerous controversial storylines in recent months: David Platt's rape story, which sparked a 1,700% rise in calls to helplines.

Others which have impacted viewers include Pat Phelan's murderous rampage on the cobbles and Bethany Platt's job as a stripper, as well as her grooming storyline last year.

Kate said she will now be moving on to work on ITV cop series Bancroft, starring Sarah Parish.

(Image: ITV)

She said: "I’ll be forever grateful for this opportunity and all it has given me, but I'm also excited to try something new.”

The Sun also reported she will be replaced by current Emmerdale chief Iain MacLeod, who led the other ITV soap to back-to-back National Television Award wins.

He will start the role in June, according to reports.

ITV has been contacted for a comment.