Callard's Corrie pay packet slashed

[moonstorm]

Coronation Street's Bev Callard's salary has been cut by 40% due to the credit crunch.

The actress, who plays barmaid Liz McDonald in the ITV soap, has signed a new deal meaning that she will only be paid on a per-episode basis.

Callard currently takes home £120,000 per year, but will have to feature in prominent storylines and be on camera all the time if she is to match her old pay packet.

A source revealed to The Sun: "Bev's really shocked by just how hard times are on Corrie. She's not the only star facing bad news, but she's been hit the hardest so far.

"Bev's a businesswoman and hasn't had the easiest time. While she understands the problems bosses face, it's making life very difficult."

A soap insider added: "Contracts come up for renewal at different times. Characters with less air-time are really going to struggle."

Callard has been forced to cancel her wedding to Jon McEwan as a result of her salary cut.

[Abigail]

£120,000 per year? That's just ridiculous. I don't watch corrie so I don't know how often she is on screen but that sum of money is absurd. What does she do to deserve such a big pay packet? Nurses, firefighters, paramedics etc all earn much less than that but contribute more to society than Bev does :angry:

[LostVoodoo]

£120,000 per year? That's just ridiculous. I don't watch corrie so I don't know how often she is on screen but that sum of money is absurd. What does she do to deserve such a big pay packet? Nurses, firefighters, paramedics etc all earn much less than that but contribute more to society than Bev does :angry:

nurses, firefighters, paramedics are all paid for out of public (aka taxpayers) money. ITV are paying Bev less to line their own pockets.

[Abigail]

£120,000 per year? That's just ridiculous. I don't watch corrie so I don't know how often she is on screen but that sum of money is absurd. What does she do to deserve such a big pay packet? Nurses, firefighters, paramedics etc all earn much less than that but contribute more to society than Bev does :angry:

nurses, firefighters, paramedics are all paid for out of public (aka taxpayers) money. ITV are paying Bev less to line their own pockets.

But seriously, does she really need to be paid £120k a year for doing next to nothing? Acting is hardly demanding work. Having £50k slashed off her wages must be hitting her so hard :rolleyes:

[Ruffed_lemur]

Surely she doesn't have to cancel the wedding? She could have a cheaper one. It shouldn't be about the money.

[Abigail]

Surely she doesn't have to cancel the wedding? She could have a cheaper one. It shouldn't be about the money.

I agree. Even on £70k she can still afford a decent wedding. Canceling her wedding is like saying that nobody who earns under £120k can afford to get married.

[parkerman]

Poor Bev, having to struggle on with a mere £70,000. It's heartbreaking.

Of course, she could always leave and get a job elsewhere. I'm sure she could find another job that would pay her what her talent deserves...:rolleyes:

[Chloe O'brien]

Look's like it will be more than Bev on the bread line:

A group of veteran Coronation Street stars have been told to expect massive pay cuts, according to a report.

Betty Driver (Betty Williams), Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan), Malcolm Hebden (Norris Cole) and Eileen Derbyshire (Emily Bishop) will start to be paid on a scene-by-scene basis within the next few weeks, the Sunday Mirror claims.

The cast members currently receive between £180,000 and £250,000 per year. However, under the new arrangement, the stars' pay rates would only reach their former levels when the actors are involved in high-profile storylines.

An insider told the newspaper: "It's an absolute disgrace. These stars have given their heart and soul to Corrie over the years. None of them expect to be - or have the energy to be - at the centre of huge ratings-busting plots.

"Betty's nearly 90, Eileen and Barbara are in their 70s and Malcolm Hebden is 68. Instead of being rewarded for their contribution, they are being treated little better than extras."

A Coronation Street spokeswoman confirmed: "It is the season when a lot of the older stars will start negotiations for next year. But we do not discuss artists' payments or contracts."

The news follows reports (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a122314/callards-corrie-pay-packet-slashed.html) that Bev Callard, better known as Liz MacDonald on the soap, is facing a 40% salary cut.

[Abigail]

Don't you just feel so sorry for them getting paid by the episode. They should try getting paid per hour on the minimum wage and stop whinging :rolleyes:

[Perdita]

They work long hours though, I believe the recording schedule is very demanding, even if they are not in every scene, they need to wait for hours sometimes. They still get paid rather too much though, but even worse, the footballers in my opinion do not deserve to get paid what they do.

[HoneyBee]

£120,000 per year? That's just ridiculous. I don't watch corrie so I don't know how often she is on screen but that sum of money is absurd. What does she do to deserve such a big pay packet? Nurses, firefighters, paramedics etc all earn much less than that but contribute more to society than Bev does :angry:

Well said.