CORONATION Street has been thrown into chaos as SEVEN stars quit in just THREE months.
But what is the reason for the mass exodus? WE take a look into what’s going on, on the Corrie cobbles.
ITV
Why have seven members of the Coronation Street cast quit in 2019?
Taking much of the flak for the current Corrie crisis is controversial new boss Iain MacLeod – who took over a year ago.
He has borne the brunt of grumbling both on set and among fans.
Discontent behind the scenes has been gathering momentum for some time, driven largely by the big disparity among the actors’ pay packets.
While veterans such as William Roache (Ken Barlow) pocket £250,000 a year, newcomers are on £50,000, with much of their fee dependent on appearances, with payments per episode of between £500 and £1,000.
ITV
Who has quit Coronation Street in 2019?
Here is a timeline of stars to quit the hit ITV soap.
There has been a mass exodus from the show since the end of January 2019.
Bhavna Limbachia as Rana Habeeb
ITV
When: January 23.
Reason: Bhavna insisted she left of her own accord and it was her “decision to leave”.
She tweeted: “”I do have some news – my journey at Coronation Street will be coming to an end.
“I’ve had a wonderful time and there’s still lots to film.
“I am really grateful to Iain our producer for respecting my decision to leave and we’ve come up with a wonderful exit storyline.”
Kym Marsh as Michelle Connor
Rex Features
When: February 25.
Reason: Kym shocked Corrie fans when she quit her role after 13 years.
At the time she told The Sun: “It feels like the right time for me to explore some other roles.”
Connie Hyde as Gina Seddon
ITV Press Release
When: March 18.
Reason: The Sun exclusively revealed in March that Connie had thrown in the towel as bosses wanted to give her character a break.
Tristan Gemmill as Robert Preston
When: Tristan Gemmill left on April 26
Reason: All Tristan has said about leaving the show is: “There is still a lot of drama and shenanigans to come for Robert but I will be leaving Corrie later in the year.”
Faye Brookes as Kate Connor
Rex Features
When: April 30
Reason: Faye tweeted: “I’ve loved playing Kate, but she needs a break… and so, with a song in my heart, I’m off to pastures new.”
Katie McGlynn as Sinead Tinker
ITV
When: May 1
Reason: Hot off the heels of Faye leaving, The Sun sensationally revealed that Katie had quit, a source told us: “Katie has just been nominated for a British Soap Award so it’s a big loss and not what bosses would have wanted to hear.
“She’s been central to a number of key storylines this last year or so and will need replacing urgently.”
Lucy Fallon as Bethany Platt
ITV
When: May 2
Reason: Lucy insisted her decision was nothing to do with new boss Iain MacLeod.
She said: “After the most incredible 4 years, I have made the extremely difficult decision to leave Coronation Street at the end of my contract in 2020. It’s hard to put into words how much this show means to me.
“I’ve made lifelong friends with some of the most talented and hardworking people in the industry, I’ve had some terrific and immensely important storylines and I’ve laughed with the best people everyday. I’m so thankful to Iain and everyone at Coronation Street, I owe everything to them and I will miss them greatly.”
Will anyone else quit Coronation Street?
The Sun Sources on the Corrie set say several more big names are poised to quit, fed up with the gruelling hours, poor pay deals and the toxic atmosphere on set.
A gulf has emerged among sections of the cast due to vast differences in salaries, and morale is at an all-time low.
Another star to leave, but only temporarily, is Liam Bairstow.
He tweeted: “This is it for now for TV time. I have done all my episodes and I’m now doing stage work. I had the best time of my life with you and it’s time to think forward in life.”
A spokesman said: “Liam has not left Coronation Street and will be back filming at the end of this month.”
