A prominent writer for Coronation Street has expressed his disappointment with the popular ITV soap for killing off a character who then tragically passed away in real life two months later.
Soap writer vents his fury on social media
Daran Little, a scriptwriter for Coronation Street, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his frustration over the incident, which occurred more than twenty years ago.
Reminder of a tragic on-screen death
Little recalled the on-screen death of Alf Roberts, a beloved character on Coronation Street, after a fan page shared a photo of the character lying back in a chair. The caption reminded viewers that 25 years ago, Alf Roberts passed away peacefully at Nick Tilsley's 18th birthday party.
A stroke and subsequent death
It was later revealed that Alf Roberts suffered a stroke, which ultimately led to his demise. The character, played by Bryan Mosley, was a staple on the show, appearing in three separate periods. Mosley passed away in 1999, and it is this soap exit that Little has taken issue with.
A heartbreaking loss
In his social media post, Little lamented the actor's departure, stating that Mosley didn't want to leave the show. He recalled standing on set, comforting Barbara Knox, who was crying during the filming of the scene. Little expressed his admiration for Mosley, describing him as a wonderful man, a friend, and someone who will forever hold a place in his heart.
Fans express their thoughts
Fans of Coronation Street were quick to respond to Little's post, praising Mosley's portrayal of Alf Roberts and appreciating the dignified exit given to the character. Some fans also commended the show for providing closure to the character's storyline rather than having him fade away off-screen.
A prolific TV writer
Daran Little is an accomplished writer, having penned over 100 episodes of Coronation Street between 2000 and 2010. He introduced significant characters to the show, including the first gay character, Todd Grimshaw, and comedian Peter Kay's character, Eric Gartside. Little also wrote for rival soap EastEnders following his time on Coronation Street.
Little's plans to move to Spain
In a previous interview, Little mentioned his intention to relocate to Spain after facing a 15% increase in his rent. However, this week, he has found himself addressing backlash from EastEnders fans following Max Bowden's unexpected departure from the show.
