Actor Antony Cotton of Coronation Street has spoken out over the long-running soap opera’s failure to receive a nomination for a BAFTA television award last night.
ITV’s Emmerdale, the BBC’s EastEnders, and Casualty competed in a three-horse race for the best soap category; the latter was declared the well-deserving winner.
Having portrayed Sean Tully on the cobbles since 2003, Antony, 48, is currently involved in a major plot when his on-screen son Dylan Wilson (Liam McCheyne) was accused of knife crime.
He voiced support for the other ongoing programmes that were nominated last night, May 12.
“I feel like I’m excited to see how our friends over in Yorkshire and the East End do,” he said to Digital Spy while walking the red carpet. I’ve been going to them for a long time; I believe my first BAFTA visit was about 25 years ago.
Thus, we’ve experienced enough. It’s good to give some cutlery to someone else for a change, as we have enough in the cupboard.
“It’s just a nice thing to be able to catch up with people,” he said. I’ve met Matt Hilton, one of our directors, who also produces Emmerdale.
We’re all a part of a larger family, and some of my pals have been here for a very long time.
Although Coronation Street did not win best soap this year, it has won seven times previously, and in its nearly 64-year existence, it has received several honours, all of which are proudly shown in its Trafford, Greater Manchester, studios.
Following criticism over darker plotlines, John Whiston, managing director of ongoing dramas and head of ITV in the North, issued a statement last month.
“Coronation Street is, and always has been, a blend of beloved characters, down-to-earth humour, and stories that matter, like the current storylines about Liam’s bullying or Lauren’s grooming,” he started.
The programme takes pride in tackling significant modern themes like these, and viewer feedback indicates that we handle these stories in an interesting yet responsible manner.
“Therefore, Coronation Street remains the most popular soap opera on British television.”
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