But, argued the actors, writers and producers on the panel at an RTS event in mid-July – “LGBTQ in soap: job done?” – the fight against prejudice is not yet won.
“Soaps are incredibly powerful in terms of being able to get a message out and in changing people’s perceptions,” said Daniel Brocklebank, who plays gay vicar Billy Mayhew in Coronation Street.
The screenwriter received the Judges’ Award among others at the RTS Programme Awards 2017 for her “outstanding contribution to the UK’s television and media industry.”
“I feel very lucky that I have been able to achieve my ambitions and been able to do the things that I want to do,” she says humbly.
She is humble too about her past achievements: Baftas, RTS Awards, TV Choice Awards, Broadcast awards and more litter the shelves of her study in her Cotswold home.
“It’s nice to be recognised,” she says.
British TV institution Coronation Street celebrated its 55th birthday in December. After some 8,800 episodes, you might expect the old girl to be a bit doddery on her pins, but the ITV soap is in rude health.
Over the past couple of years, Corrie has fed its viewers a rich diet of murder, death and suicide.
At last month's The Secret of the Soaps event, the masterminds behind Coronation Street revealed to RTS audiences the inside secrets of what has made the show last for 55 years
The panel starred actor Tina O'Brien, writer Debbie Oates, producer Stuart Blackburn and ITV's Creative Director of Serial Dramas John Whiston. The session was chaired by former ITV Director of Entertainment and Comedy Paul Jackson.
In a brilliantly entertaining evening celebrating all things Corrie, a group of experts met at One Great George Street to talk about what's kept the soap popular for 55 years - and dissect this year's acclaimed live episode.
At the RTS: The Secret of Soaps event we asked the masterminds behind the UK's hit-soap Coronation Street what their favourite episode was from the much-loved show.
Here Corrie writer Debbie Oates, producer Stuart Blackburn and Tina O'Brien (Sarah Platt) reveal all
At tomorrow night's The Secret of Soaps event, we'll be joined by Coronation Street writers, producers, and Tina O'Brien, who began playing Sarah-Louise Platt on the show in 1999. In preparation, here's a reminder of some of the Platt family's - perhaps Corrie's most drama and disaster-afflicted dynasty - most exciting storylines over the years.
Presenter Lindsey Russell speaks to stars at the RTS North West Awards 2015 about their loser face, the nail biting soap-off between Hollyoaks and Coronation Street and asks what their guilty pleasure television shows are.
Good evening. I’d like to start with an apology to Monica and Karen, our two signers tonight. They maybe from Signpost - our multi-award winning Gateshead-based signing business - but I bet they’ve not signed Anglo Saxon before….until tonight. Standby for a speech that can link Ant and Dec to the West Germanic version of Old English…yes, really.
What is the secret of producing a show like Coronation Street year after year, leaving audiences waiting for more, filling endless columns of news print, staying fresh and winning countless awards?
The answer? Meticulous planning.
