THE ongoing Coronation Street crisis has reached tipping point after ITV dramatically slashed its schedule.
Some of the nation’s best loved stars are poised to quit the Cobbles before they are axed amid the changes, which have sparked chaos behind the scenes and left them questioning the bosses loyalty.
Coronation Street legend Barbara Knox is said to be keen for more scenes[/caption]
Helen Worth recently bowed out of the soap[/caption]
Yesterday The Sun told how Corrie bosses have reduced the show from six episodes per week, to just five 30-minute episodes.
As many as 75 people will lose their jobs across both Coronation Street and Emmerdale, which is also struggling amid the budget issues – and it seems even the biggest names aren’t immune from the soap’s cash crisis.
Insiders tell us that the stars have known for a while that changes were coming, but it’s left many feeling disgruntled and concerned about their future on the flailing soap.
A TV source said: “Rumours of a schedule change had been rumbling for a while so it wasn’t a huge surprise to the cast but now the news is out there it is starting to feel very real. Some of the cast have gone into panic mode and are really considering their futures.
“They are thinking of leaving before there axed to save them the embarrassment.”
The cast are said to be increasingly divided in how they are reacting to the news, but it’s fair to say no one feels completely safe.
Loyalty questions
It’s thought that what happened to Colson Smith really did send shockwaves through the cast.
The insider continued: “Some of the older cast think that their jobs save but they are being warned by their co-stars not to get too comfortable.
“It hasn’t gone unnoticed that fan favourites and long standing cast members, some who have been there 30/40 years, have been axed. There is a real feeling that ITV has no loyalty towards them.
“It’s been a tricky few months and this has only made it harder. The year long wait is driving everyone mad too – they would rather changes start happening asap.”
To make matters worse, even some of the soaps most iconic stars are unhappy.
Corrie stars get a fee per episode, which is thought to range from £400 to £2,000 and show legend Barbara Knox is said to have asked for some more scenes.
“There are whisperings that Barbara is really not happy with the air time she is getting. She keeps asking for more scenes but isn’t being included,” they said.
“It’s a real shock to her and others that no one has any power anymore and there really is no extra cash to made. People wouldn’t be surprised if she quits while she ahead.”
Corrie cash crisis: shock exits for 2025
ITV bosses are locked in a battle to save the cash-strapped soap.
This means that a number of stars have either been axed from or have abandoned the long-running serial drama.
Colson Smith – Craig Tinker
The character of Craig Tinker has been axed by bosses after 14 years. After he was told of the news in Autumn 2024, Colson Smith confirmed that would be written out of the show with scenes to air later this year. Craig’s on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role.
Sue Cleaver – Eileen Grimshaw
After 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw, former I’m A Celebrity campmate Sue Cleaver will quit the show. The Sun on Sunday reported in January that she’s already begun to film her exit scenes. However the character will not be killed off in case Sue opts to make a return in the future.
Luca Toolan – Mason Radcliffe
Bosses decided to axe the teenage character after just 16 months after he first joined the show. Recent scenes saw Mason stabbed by his criminal brothers after his pal Dylan brought a knife in an attempt to defend him.
Sue Devaney – Debbie Webster
In November 2024, we revealed that Debbie Webster is set to be killed off after 40 years on the cobbles. The character will die as part of a heartbreaking long-running dementia storyline.
Charlotte Jordan – Daisy Midgeley
The actress became the fifth star to leave Coronation Street in just one month. We revealed that she will bow out of the ITV soap later this year after four years on-screen. Charlotte told sources that she’s hungry to see what other opportunities await.
Shelley King – Yasmeen Metcalfe
The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and we revealed in January that she finished filming her final scenes. This follows the departure of her on-screen partner Stu Carpenter.
Long standing members like Jack Shepherd have been surprised by recent changes[/caption]
The actress – who plays Rita Tanner in the ITV soap – first appeared on the cobbles in December 1964 as Rita in just one episode before being brought back full-time in 1972.
Barbara is second only to Ken Barlow actor Bill Roache, 91, in the age stakes on the ITV soap.
The star has not had a proper storyline for some time and only occasionally pops up on screen.
Cash needed
In the past she would have been seen in the Rovers Return, but bosses have barred the cast from being in the background in a bid to cut costs.
Because the stars are due a per-episode fee, which can mount up for actors on lucrative deals, they are no longer being used.
Only a few years ago you would see all the community in the pub – even if they didn’t speak.
Younger cast members have started holding set tours on their days off to try and make more cash.
The schedule change announcement comes after a string of Corrie stars — Helen North, Charlotte Jordan, Sue Cleaver, Sue Devaney, Colson Smith, and Luca Toolan — have announced they are leaving or being written out since November 2024.
Actor Seamus McGoff has also seemingly confirmed that he has left the soap, amid the ongoing cast exodus.
Insiders said rising costs and falling advertising revenue has piled on pressure.
Cobbles boss Kate Brooks warned last month she is set to axe characters including “some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves”.
