Corrie producers ‘worried’ more stars will leave over pay

"Corrie is not quite the plum gig it was a few years ago."

Coronation Street could be facing a wave of departures in the next year, according to sources at the show. Shayne Ward, who plays Aidan Connor and Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price) both announced that they would be leaving the cobbles next year and the soap's producers are reportedly concerned that more actors will want out. New pay structures on the show mean that while older, more established Corrie stars can earn up to £250,000 per year, newer cast members earn much less, especially if they're in less high-profile roles, reports the Daily Star. It's thought some of the soap's actors are looking to follow in the footsteps of Michelle Keegan, who played Tina O'Brien. She quit in 2014 and has gone on to have success both as an actress and with brand deals, including a clothing range with Lipsy. "There are several other names ready to leave," a source at the soap told the paper. "A lot of the established stars on the smaller money just don’t think it is worth the cash any more. "They work just as hard as the more senior members but because they are on older contracts that are not available any more they get double their wages. "Now they are losing their weekends to filming since the number of weekly episodes went up from five to six. "All of it means Corrie is not quite the plum gig it was a few years ago." Cast members are allowed to do some outside work, such as nightclub appearances, but can't endorse products for brands. "Several of the cast have been offered lucrative contracts that they have been forced to turn down."