.jpg)
It’s the world’s longest running TV show and so hugely popular that there’s now going to be an extra episode every week.
But Coronation Street insiders fear that will put so much pressure on the actors, it could throw the show into upheaval and lead to mass walkouts of stars who can’t
cope with the relentless filming schedule.
They say the programme can ill afford to lose too many cast members. Several of the show’s biggest names had already announced they’re leaving, including Alison King, who plays Carla Connor, and Paula Lane (Kylie Platt). And it’s rumoured other stars are about to follow suit, although both Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) and Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby) have spoken out to quash rumours they were going to be next to leave Weatherfield.
The show will be going to six half-hour episodes a week instead of five from next year. (Here in New Zealand, where we’re two years behind the UK, we get three hours of episodes a week.)
Both cast and crew members are angry about the extra episode and worry they could end up overworked. They’re also concerned the show’s quality will suffer and storylines will be dragged out to fill the extra time.
“They believe many more cast will need to be hired to cope. If they don’t, then the existing cast is going to be worked to the bone to fill the extra half-hour slot, and it’s the same with the crew,” says a source.
Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle Connor on the show says she’s staying put.
The show’s bosses insist the move is “an exciting chapter” in the show’s 55-year history. Longest-serving cast member Bill Roache, who has played Ken Barlow since the very first episode in December 1960, says he thinks the producers will treat the cast well.
“There’s been a lot of noise about Corrie going six days, but they will be very accommodating,” says Bill (84). “The bosses are very caring. They’ll adjust the schedule and the logistics of the whole programme so that nobody gets any extra pressure on them.”
Jane, who plays Leanne Battersby, says like her co-star Kym, she won’t be leaving the much-loved TV show.
Despite the rumours they want to leave, Kym and Jane also appear to be taking the changes in their stride. Mum-of-three Kym says she’s staying put.
“This is an amazing job – I’m in a very lucky position and in a great role, and you know, it is not as easy as it seems out there. So to leave something so stable and say,
‘I’m off!’ isn’t for me,” tells Kym (40), who has been on the show for 10 years.
Meanwhile, Jane took to Twitter to deny rumours that she was exiting the show she’s worked on since 1997. “Just to let you know, I am NOT leaving as many people keep asking me… unless, of course, you know something I don’t,” she tweeted.
Jane (37) did take a four-year break from 2000 – during which time she appeared in British cop show The Bill – but says she loves being on Coro.
Other actors who had already announced plans to move on before the extra hours were revealed include Ryan Thomas, who plays Jason Grimshaw, Les Dennis (Gail’s new man Michael Rodwell) and Terence Maynard (Liz McDonald’s bloke Tony Stewart).
Sources say the producers should be braced for resignations from other cast members who aren’t happy with the pressure that will come with the extra hours.
In the meantime, several of the show’s stalwarts have been given extended time off to do other things. David Neilson (Roy Cropper) is going to be away for three months to appear in a play and Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster) is having two months off to do theatre.
And 84-year-old Eileen Derbyshire (Emily Bishop) will be taking six months off, apparently to relax. “She is a big loss to the show even if it is temporary because she’s one of the most recognisable characters,” says the insider. “Here’s hoping lots of the others don’t decide to leave.”
Soap star Jack P Shepherd had a DNA test that confirmed paternity, but he’s yet to meet ailing Greyson.
Jack’s forgotten son
He’s a doting dad on Coro, but in real life Jack P Shepherd has nothing to do with the child he fathered after a one-night stand, despite the fact the boy has a rare disability that causes terrible pain.
Jack, who plays David Platt, pays maintenance, but doesn’t see five-year-old Greyson James, who has a neurological condition that causes temporary paralysis and pain.
Greyson’s mum Samantha Milewski (31), who got pregnant after meeting Jack (28) in a club, has revealed that the pain her son suffers is so bad that he tries to bite his arm off. She tweeted, “Hate seeing my lil dude poorly, just stopped him biting and pulling his arm saying, ‘Mummy, arm to go. Another arm, Mummy.’”
Jack also has daughter Nyla (6) and son Reuben (2), with his fiancée Lauren Shippey.
Motherhood & Matilda
Former Coro star Helen Flanagan says becoming a mum has helped her to get off medication she was taking for bipolar disorder. Helen (25), who played Rosie Webster on the show for 12 years, says since having her daughter Matilda 13 months ago, she has been having cognitive behavioural therapy to deal with bipolar disorder and ADD, and feels like she’s now “in a good place”.
“It’s something I will always work on, but I don’t take medication any more. “Matilda inspired me to be the best person I can be and I don’t want to pass any negative energy or behaviour down to her.”
