'Coronation Street' boss Kate Oates has defended the soap's recent violent plotlines.
Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre) and Anna Windass (Debbie Rush)
The ITV programme's producer has admitted that she is "driven nuts" by the constant negative comments about intense scenes, which have included vicar Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) desperately turning to drugs and mass murdered Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre) killing off his enemies.
However, she's reassured her critics that she isn't going to retire from her job because ratings have improved vastly since she joined.
Kate told the Daily Star newspaper: "I am not going anywhere.
"The shows in a good place, the figures are up year on year.
"I've become more resilient to criticism. It drives me a little nuts but goes with the territory."
It comes after Martina Cole criticised 'Corrie' for its recent trend of darker, more drawn out storylines, and urged writers to bring back the fun.
The successful crime writer - who has penned 22 books, including the likes of 'The Know' and 'Dangerous Woman' - hit out at the soap for its pacing and called for a return to the more light-hearted plots featuring comedic characters like Jack and Vera Duckworth.
Life-long fan Martina, 58, said: "The storylines go on too long, ie Phelan and Billy's drugs drama. Too many episodes and not enough storylines ... For me the wonder days of Ken and Deirdre and Baldwin need to be revisited. Those storylines could have done 20 episodes a week and I'd have happily watched, fabulous acting! The same goes for Hilda and Stan, Vera and Jack."
The author insists she isn't at the stage where she would tune out and is sure the plots will turn to things she enjoys soon enough.
Even Sue Cleaver - who plays Eileen Phelan, the wife of evil Pat, in the show - has admitted she's really struggling with the gripping plot twists she's having to shoot for the programme at the moment because they're becoming so "complicated", but she's hoping bosses will give her some breathing space this year so she can go travelling.
Sue - who has appeared on the show for 24 years - explained: "It's all getting very dark. It's just too complicated at the moment. I'm so knackered. I'd love a break. I want to travel to China and Japan."