hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc hc

Coronation Street thrown into chaos as drastic cuts leave ‘stars fearing for their future’

Coronation Street is reportedly in crisis over slashed budgets and stream-lined production leaving the show’s stars fearing for their futures. Bosses at the ITV soap are said to have taken drastic action to safeguard the show’s production by changing the way they film.

Through making cutbacks in the current cash-strapped climate, they can protect the show itself. However, a new report has suggested that cast have had their scenes slashed in a cost saving measure, and it has sparked fury behind the scenes.

According to the Sunday Mirror, show bosses have increased “back-to-back” filming, where the actors start on set at 7am and film all day along, along with decreasing the number of extras used in the soap.

The cast are also said to have become aware of a marked difference in the scripts last month. An insider told the publication: “The changes haven’t gone down well with the cast. Many of them are panicking about what these cuts mean for their futures.

“The Corrie cast is absolutely massive – it has well over 50 cast members in total – and some of them haven’t filmed for weeks, so they are starting to get really worried about the axe falling on them before long.”

They added: “There is currently a real feeling of disquiet behind the scenes and people are openly sharing their concerns.”

The report also claims that by reducing the number of cast in scenes, it has a bigger budget for travel, hair and make-up and lighting. Bosses are also said to be cutting back on using freelancers and instead relying on in-house staff.

However, the show’s older stars, including Bill Roache and Barbara Knox, who play Ken Barlow and Rita Tanner, are fully salaried and paid regardless of their hours.

While the majority of the cast are paid for the time they are filming but are guaranteed a minimum amount of work.

Morale among the cast on set has also reportedly plunged over the changes, while ratings have nose dived to just 3m – down from 24m highs in its heyday, reports the publication.

The latest Christmas episode, which is a staple of soap fans festive scedhules, pulled in an audience of just 2.6million.

With a reduced numbers of viewers, Coronation Street has struggled to secure the big-money sponsorship it enjoyed in the past.

Earlier this year Corrie lost one of its sponsors as their deal with Co-op came to an end.

The supermarket brand had a shopfront on set and a famous Co-op shopping bag used to hang on the back of Tyrone and Fiz’s backdoor.

A source added: “The bosses are clearly trying to cut down on additional costs that are deemed surplus to requirements, which makes a lot of sense when you look at the pressures being felt all across the industry.

“But it has been quite unsettling for the cast and crew, and it feels like a very uncertain time.”

Express.co.uk contacted ITV representatives for comment.

Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on ITV1 and ITVX

Via

Leave a Comment