It’s a soap that’s been at the centre of a lot of negative discourse from the start of the year, the news cycle around it dominated by announcements of cast departures.
And, although it’s not the first time a mainstream soap – including the ITV show itself – has been hit by a wave of exits in a short amount of time, it has been claimed that the soap is in crisis.
There’s no denying that some fans have been disillusioned with the darker led plots for some time. A main complaint, with some justification, is the over reliance on crime and health dramas, with the police station and hospital sets seeming to dominate above even the Rovers at times.
However, the show came in for some huge praise around a heart-wrenching week of episodes at the start of the year which saw Mason killed in a topical knife crime storyline, reviewed by me as a masterclass.
Sadly this was overshadowed by fears of the axe being stoked in worried fans by reported claims that the show wouldn’t survive another 10 years due to ITV cutting costs.
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Naturally, this seems highly unlikely – while overnight ratings of TV shows have largely fallen over the years due to streaming and online demands and competition, Corrie still retains its position as a jewel of the ITVcrown, bring up to 5 million viewers and therefore remaining interest from advertisers.
Now, the discourse has been addressed, with a source close to the show confirming the future – and, as expected, it’s going nowhere.
‘Corrie’s vision for the future on the show has secured its place on screens for years to come,’ an insider told The Mirror.
“Fans can ignore any idea that within a decade the soap will be gone, because it’s in no way on the brink of collapse. There’s some really exciting twists ahead for our favourite characters and couples, with a massive stunt that will no doubt bring the drama, as well as some hard-hitting storylines bringing some of soap’s biggest characters to the forefront.
‘It really is a case of one door closes and another opens in that some familiar faces will be leaving, but others will be back – and the new faces could be just what the show needs. There’s so much ahead so the idea the end of Corrie is in sight is bonkers.’
On the wave of exits, they added: ‘These departure decisions have been made across the last 12 months not in the past few weeks, be they a choice by an actor or storyline related, which is not at all unusual. The soap does not announce them that far in advance as it undermines the storytelling if people know too soon that a character will be going.
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‘It is just the information has been leaked in quick succession which has led to a completely false narrative.’
Coronation Street cast exits - who is going?
Sue Devaney as Debbie Webster
Fans have been left distraught at news of Debbie's upcoming departure, with the character being written out as part of a storyline focusing on dementia.
A source told Metro: 'It’s one of the show’s biggest storylines of the year, and a real chance for Sue to finally get her time in the spotlight – it will just be devastating for fans that it will effectively be her final storyline.
‘It’s one of many major storylines new boss Kate Brooks has in the bag, and there will not be a dry eye in the house.
‘There is no doubt in the Corrie family that she will give the performance of a lifetime and make Debbie’s exit one to remember for years.’
Sue Cleaver as Eileen Grimshaw
Loose Women and I'm A Celebrity star Sue has been central to the show for two and a half decades but now she will be saying goodbye.
She confirmed: ‘I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street.’
‘The door is still firmly open, but as I reached my 60th year, I decided it was time to embrace change, look for new adventures, and live fearlessly.'
Colson Smith as Craig Tinker
After 14 years, Corrie has decided to also write out police officer Craig, with the actor sharing his love for the show on social media following the decision, delivered to him last year.
He said: 'I've loved every single second of my 14-year stay as a resident on the greatest street in the world. I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in, on and around Coronation Street.
'I've learnt pretty much everything about life from the people who call it home. I'm excited to play out the exit story for our Craigy. For me, this is just the end of the beginning.
'I genuinely can't wait to see what chapter 2 has in store for me. Long live the cobbles!'
Charlotte Jordan as Daisy Midgeley
After a very busy four years on the show, Daisy is set to leave as part of a currently to-secret explosive storyline, with Charlotte keen to try other projects.
She said in a statement: '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.'
Shelley King as Yasmeen Metcalfe
After 10 years, Yasmeen will be departing the cobbles - and she has already filmed her final scenes in December, so expect her last episode soon.
Metro understands that she won't be killed off.
A show insider has clarified: ‘Shelley spoke to producers early last year and advised that after 10 years on the show and being involved in many major storylines during the past decade she had decided the time has come for her to explore other opportunities.
‘Shelley is an accomplished stage and television actress and we fully understand her desire to take her career in another direction after 10 years playing the same role.
‘She filmed her final scenes in December.’
Paddy Bever as Max Turner
With Paddy having filmed his final scenes, it is expected he will leave in spring.
‘After much reflection and in an incredibly difficult decision, I have chosen to step away from Max, and Coronation Street, to explore new opportunities. I have been surrounded by such kindness and support every step of the way, Paddy, 22, said in a statement.
Talking to The Mirror, he added: ‘It’s been a great privilege to contribute to the legacy of such a well-loved and iconic show. This chapter has been unforgettable and while I look forward to what lies ahead, I will treasure these memories.’
In fact, Corrie has officially addressed the situation, with a spokesperson telling Metro in the wake of reports that the show suffered its worst ever TV ratings: ‘It is misleading to use figures that focus on an episode which aired on Thursday night at 9pm, a day and time which is not our usual transmission pattern. It also does not take into account the viewers who have watched or will watch the episode on ITVX.
‘Monday night’s highly acclaimed knife crime episode peaked at 3.9 million viewers which, when consolidated, will be in keeping with the show’s 2024 average of 4.4 million, making it the most watched soap on TV.’
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Upcoming storylines include a fire rocking the Platt household, the culmination of the Daisy, Daniel and Bethany love triangle, huge developments for Carla, Lisa and Rob, torment for Abi as she suffers flashbacks of Seb’s death, and a cancer diagnosis for Kevin.
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