‘It’s a total mess’ Coronation Street and Emmerdale in crisis as stars ‘left furious’

Following the enormous changes to both Coronation Street and Emmerdale, with a reduction in output and a brand new transmission pattern, further alterations behind the scenes have left the cast ‘furious’.

It has left broadcasting channel ITV facing a negative reaction as this also means the pay for the stars is going to be reduced, in some cases, by 17%.

The Sun previously reported that the stars of both soaps faced ‘harsh changes to their contracts’ due to ITV ‘drastically reducing the number of guaranteed episodes offered to its actors’.

A soap insider spilled: ‘The way things are being handled by ITV bosses is appalling, and some big stars are talking about walking away altogether.

‘They are completely fed up’ the insider added.

A further source provided additional information: ‘Many feel ITV is bending the rules for some favoured stars, quietly assuring them they will be looked after, while others are being hung out to dry and are prepared to walk if necessary.

‘It’s a total mess – a mixture of anger towards bosses and now jealousy and irritation among the castmates themselves because it’s such an uneven playing field.’
The new arrangement will see a number of stars film fewer scenes across the year.

In a standard soap contract, an actor is guaranteed a minimum amount of appearances across the 12 months.

According to an earlier report from The Sun, actors from Corrie and Emmerdale were told about the changes last month via email.

‘It’s caused uproar.

There was no consultation.

They effectively told the stars to ‘take it or leave it’ an insider revealed.

The report further detailed the initial response from cast members, some of whom were facing a reduction of one sixth in their income.

Don't miss a Soaps scoop!

Add us as a Preferred Source

As a loyal Metro Soaps reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories.

We have all the latest soaps news, spoilers, videos, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.

Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Add us as a Preferred Source

‘This is a major crisis.

The actors and actresses of both Corrie and Emmerdale are furious.

Some have been in tears and are worrying about paying their bills,’ revealed an insider.

A source added to the publication that there was no ‘consultation’ regarding the changes, which aren’t coming into effect until August, and has led actors to seek help from trade union group Equity and Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy.

Metro has reached out to both Coronation Street and Emmerdale for comment.

All the huge changes for Coronation Street and Emmerdale

To coincide with the new schedule, ITV aired a massive crossover event called Corriedale.

It saw lives from Weatherfield and the Yorkshire Dales put in serious danger as they were involved in a multi-vehicle collision.

Following audience research, bosses concluded that 30 minute episodes attracted higher audience figures throughout 2024.

ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment Kevin Lygo previously said: ‘The new commissioning pattern is viewer-led.

We already give more choice than ever to viewers on how they watch us through ITVX and we want to present their favourite soap to them, in the most digestible way.

‘In a world where there is so much competition for viewers’ time and attention, and viewing habits continue to change, we believe this is the right amount of episodes that fans can fit into their viewing schedule, to keep up to date with the shows.

‘Research insights also show us that soap viewers are increasingly looking to the soaps for their pacey storytelling.

Streaming-friendly, 30 minute episodes better provide the opportunity to meet viewer expectations for storyline pace, pay-off and resolution.

‘Whilst viewing is growing on ITVX, we know a significant proportion of our soaps’ audience still watch us via the schedule.

This new pattern is in the DNA of the soap genre – nobody else does 30 minute drama this successfully.’
Elsewhere, the genre is continuing to make changes in order to stay relevant to the current TV climate.

Iain MacLeod, ITV’s Executive Producer for Continuing Drama, recently revealed that a production overhaul will eventually improve the visual quality fans see whenever they flick Emmerdale or Coronation Street on.

The producer admitted that the changes have been somewhat inspired by the incredible way Corriedale was shot.

‘In terms of the look and feel of the shows, we’re in the midst of a big piece of work around evolving what they both look like’, he said in a chat with the This Is Media City podcast.

‘I want there to be a somewhat consistent visual feel between the soaps, so you know when you turn on Emmerdale or turn on Corrie, that it’s an ITV soap – without homogenising it too much.’