Up to 5 older characters to be axed

[Perdita]

CORRIE legends are fearing the chop as show chiefs plot a cost-cutting cull.

Up to five of the soap’s longest-serving actors could be gone by the end of the year as bosses freshen up the ITV1 programme.

Every star will meet new producer Kim Crowther to discuss their future.

An on-set source said yesterday: “There is a feeling the show needs a younger and sexier feel.

“The recent stars have been younger characters like David Platt, but many of the older characters are on huge money and are hardly involved.

“Everyone is very edgy, especially the greyer stars.”

It is felt some of the older stars are holding back the show.

The source added: “Some of the older stars haven’t approved of some of the racier storylines.

“But that’s the way the show is going so they are under threat. It’s not only them. Some of the very new characters who have not worked out will also get the boot.”

The news comes after a cull at ITV’s Emmerdale.

Producer Anita Turner has axed four characters this year – including two-year-old Benjamin Shooter.

Benjamin, who played Samson Dingle, was axed from the show for crying.

Meanwhile, BBC1 soap EastEnders won a ratings boost with the return of Ricky and Bianca.


Don't we have "grey" characters living on our streets anymore? What a nonsense. I can't think of any older character I would like to see axed, I never had grandparents because they were all dead by the time I came around but would have loved a nan or grandad. If 5 characters are leaving, Coronation Street will be without Rita, Emily, Norris, Ken and Blanche. We have not seen much of Doreen and the two other fellas who were also married to Norris's wife at some time so would not mind them being axed but nobody else please.

[parkerman]

I agree. What would we do without the likes of Norris and Blanche? It wouldn't be worth watching. I don't think the new sexier youngsters like Lauren could ever make up for them.

[CrazyLea]

I'm not overly fond of those characters all of the time, but it wouldn't be Corrie without them :eek: and they can be funny. Think there will be a lot of upset from viewers if they got rid of all of them

[StarsOfCCTV]

I was watching This Morning :cool: today, and in that soap bit at the end that women was saying how the Corrie press office is not planning a cull of the older characters :hmm: (Not that I care anyway I don't watch Corrie :lol: Just thought I'd tell you all :p )

[CrazyLea]

Hmmm. Could be just saying that?? Rumours tend to have some truth? I dunno. Hope it's not true though.

[Ruffed_lemur]

I agree. What would we do without the likes of Norris and Blanche? It wouldn't be worth watching. I don't think the new sexier youngsters like Lauren could ever make up for them.

Yes, Norris and Blanche are brilliant characters! I think all soaps need a good mix of old and young.

[Mr Maestro]

I was watching This Morning :cool: today, and in that soap bit at the end that women was saying how the Corrie press office is not planning a cull of the older characters :hmm: (Not that I care anyway I don't watch Corrie :lol: Just thought I'd tell you all :p )

I saw this morning and whilst she said nothing was happening, it was clearly a case of we are not telling you right now, but keep watching!

When you look at it, Ken, Rita, Jack, Emily and Betty are on huge wages because of the length of time but apart from Ken what do the rest do for the soap ?? Rita has had her day, Jack is going to be lost without Vera, Emily ?? and Betty how many people can keep eating hotpot !

Corrie has been great over the past few years and deserves to have one all the awards it has, but Corrie has too many people in it and it makes it hard to keep up with them all.

The wage bill must be double Eastenders !

[Abbie]

It really wont be the same :crying:

[Chloe O'brien]

I agree that Corrie has too many characters in it fighting to get a decent storyline, but the other soaps are gulity of that as well. When was the last time Dev had a good grity story years ago. Getting rid of the older cast members is not the solution they should be getting rid of some of the planks of wood that have joined in the last few years, and think about bringing in trained drama students to play younger roles not just any bit of skirt who walks in off the street.

[Perdita]

If soaps are to reflect real life, as they all claim they do, then they must leave the older ones in the soaps. The scriptwriters just need to involve them in all storylines a bit more, should not be too hard.I don't want any of them to go, we can count ourselves lucky to still have the ones we have grown to love over the years and over the next few years, I am sure we will see less of them anyway, like we did with Vera before she left due to ill health or Betty, she is not seen a lot anymore but I would hate for her character to go (don't want to mention the 'k' word (kill off). :crying:

[parkerman]

Well, if they have to, here's my five older candidates for the chop: Gail, Emily, Betty, Rita and Bob the Builder (or whatever his name is).

They can't get shot of Ken when he's so close to his 50 years in the show. What would he do???

[LostVoodoo]

i wouldn't get rid of rita, norris or blanche as they have so much comedy value between them all. emily can go, i know she's quite a realistic old lady but she's just so BORING! she never has any storylines either; the last one she had was with the guy who shot her husband, they had to dig up a plot from about 30 years ago for her!

older people don't bring a show down, look at Dot Cotton, but they can't just simply be there sitting around.

[miccisy]

I dont think it is just older people who bring the show down a lot of people on corrie dont actually do anything anymore. These are the people who i would axe

Rita
Emily
Deidre ?sp
Betty
Vernon
Dev
that fat kebab man n his family
Sally
Jack

All people who you probably wouldnt notice that they were missing cos they are hardly ever shown anymore

[Katy]

i dont mind they can axe who they want as long as they dont replace them with some of the rubbish that are on Corrie at the minute, the Mortons, for example.

[Perdita]

older people don't bring a show down, look at Dot Cotton, but they can't just simply be there sitting around.

I agree ,but it is down to the scriptwriters to give them something to do, I say let them earn their money but keep them in the Street please.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street boss Kim Crowther will not fire the soap's veteran stars, The Mirror reports.

Tabloid rumours earlier in the month suggested that Crowther was looking to axe five long-serving cast members by the end of the year.

However, the producer reportedly set up meetings with each member of the cast to discuss storylines and reassure them about their future.

A soap insider said: "There have been rumours that the older stars may be in line for the chop. But that couldn't be further from the truth.

"Kim is steeped in the history of the Street and believes the old-guard artists are crucial to the show.

"She believes the likes of Bill Roache (Ken Barlow) Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan) and Eileen Derbyshire (Emily Bishop) are firm favourites with the viewers."

Good news for the Oldies :cheer:

[Chris_2k11]

that fat kebab man n his familylmao classic :D

get rid of Ken, he does NOTHING!

[thestud2k7]

i can confirm these characters are leaving

The Mortons :cheer:
Vernon
Harry and Dan Mason

i hope this is in right place

Harry and Dan Mason are shocks becuase last week they signed new contracts to stay on the street

Souce:The Sun

[Chloe O'brien]

I can understand the Mortons getting the boot, but they should keep Vernon. He's so thick you got to laugh at him. As for Harry and Dan I thought they were introducing Harry's wife. What is the point if they are axing these characters.