Coronation Street ratings have reportedly plunged to a new low as bosses are reportedly facing a stars’ revolt after five actors recently left the soap.
It appears the ITV soap is in trouble due to an alleged cash crisis and a revolt from the cast over poor working conditions and low salaries.
According to The Sun, Thursday’s 9pm to 10pm episode was watched by 2.5 million people – just ten percent of the 27million who watched Hilda Ogden’s farewell in its 1987 heyday.
The episode was moved from its usual Friday slot and time so the network could show the FA Cup clash between Aston Villa and West Ham.
As a result, Coronation Street was pitted against BBC‘s reality game show The Traitors which pulled in five million viewers.
The show’s low ratings meant it lost its most-watched soap crown to Emmerdale with 3.5 million, while BBC’s EastEnders pulled in 2.8 million viewers.
Coronation Street ratings have plunged to a new low as bosses are reportedly facing a stars’ revolt after five actors recently left the soap (Charlotte Jordan who recently left the show pictured)
It appears the ITV soap is in trouble due to an alleged cash crisis and a revolt from the cast over poor working conditions and low salaries (Colson Smith who is set to depart the series this year pictured)
This also means The Street fell out of the top ten most watched shows of the day – which last happened on Christmas Day, which saw Helen Worth’s goodbye after starring as Gail Platt for 50 years.
Since November, Charlotte Jordan, Sue Cleaver, Sue Devaney, Colson Smith, and Luca Toolan — have announced they will be leaving the show or are being written out.
Other actors have reportedly vented their fury on a WhatsApp group over fears they could be next.
A source told The Sun: ‘Coronation Street used to be the jewel in ITV’s crown. Now there’s a despondency among actors.’
A spokesperson for the show hit back: ‘Thursday night at 9pm is not our usual transmission pattern. It also does not take into account ITVX viewers.’
‘Monday’s knife-crime episode peaked at 3.9million which, when consolidated, will be in keeping with 2024’s average of 4.4million, making it the most-watched soap on TV.’
It comes as some of the show’s mid-ranking actors and younger stars are said to be worried they’ll be axed in a bid to save money.
Some of the younger stars are said to fear they’ll be written off the show in order to keep established stars like Bill Roache and Jack P. Shepherd on board.
During Thursday’s 9pm to 10pm episode 2.5 million people tuned in – just ten percent of the 27million who watched Hilda Ogden’s farewell in its 1987 heyday (Johnny Briggs, Jean Alexander, and Elizabeth Dawn pictured)
The episode was moved from its usual Friday slot and time so the network could show the FA Cup clash between Aston Villa and West Ham (Leon Bailey and Oliver Scarles pictured)
As a result, Coronation Street was pitted against BBC’s reality game show The Traitors which pulled in five million viewers
The show’s low ratings meant it lost its most-watched soap crown to Emmerdale with 3.5 million, while BBC’s EastEnders pulled in 2.8 million viewers (Caroline Harker pictured)
A source said: ‘There’s a WhatsApp group which has been pinging with messages about concerns of where the axe will fall next.’
‘It’s a tough time on the soap and it’s filtering down. There is a feeling more people will be cut to save money and to keep the best-paid stars like Bill Roache and Jack P Shepherd on board.’
The insider added that cast members have also complained about the long working hours.
They added: ‘Filming is tough. One person moaned they were ‘worked like dogs’. The days of bumper pay are gone.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives of Coronation Street for comment.
Salaries on Coronation Street vary significantly with the likes of Bill said to earn £2,000 per episode while newbies usually get £400 per appearance.
Soaring TV production costs and a collapse in advertising revenue are said to have put the future of the ITV soap in jeopardy.
A source said: ‘Coronation Street used to be the jewel in ITV’s crown. Now there’s a despondency among actors’ (Colson Smith and Jane Danson pictured)
It comes as some of the show’s mid-ranking actors and younger stars are said to be worried they’ll be axed in a bid to save money (Charlotte Jordan who recently left the show)
An insider has claimed some of the show’s well-known actors could see their scenes in the Rovers Return cut in a bid to save money.
It comes after Charlotte, 29, announced she was leaving the show after five years, following the likes of Sue, Colson, and Helen.
A source told The Sun: ‘Charlotte leaving is just the tip of the iceberg. Corrie is on its knees financially and bosses are being forced to make hard decisions.’
‘TV production costs have soared more than 50 per cent while the advertising market funding them has all but collapsed. The cast are not happy but ITV have no choice but to cut costs.’
The Rovers Return was shut for a substantial portion of 2023 as landlady Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews) experienced financial problems.
This plot is said to have been a secret cost-cutting drive by producers as it meant they could axe all large group scenes in the pub.
A source said: There is a feeling more people will be cut to save money and to keep the best paid stars like Bill Roache (pictured) and Jack P Shepherd on board’
An insider has claimed some of the show’s well known actors could see their scenes in the Rovers Return cut in a bid to save money
Gail Platt – played by Helen for 50 years – appeared in just 26 out of 304 episodes in her final year on the soap.
Charlotte revealed on Tuesday that she was bidding goodbye to the cobbles to ‘explore other opportunities’.
In a statement, she said: ‘My time at Coronation Street is something I’ll always cherish. After a brilliant four years for Daisy, it’s time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.’
‘It’s been a privilege to be part of a wonderful institution with even more wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much.’
