Coronation Street’s new boss Kate Oates has recently been talking about a bit of a change up on the cobbles, with the most recent being the soap airing six episodes a week next year.
And although she previously discussed bringing back some old favourites, it has now been revealed that a number of familiar faces have renewed their contracts and are STAYING in Corrie – for the time being.
Viewers will be pleased to hear that Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby), Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald), Melanie Hill (Cathy Matthews) and Sally Dynevor (Sally Metcalf) will be staying in Weatherfield, along with a few others, according to The Sun Online.
Derek Griffiths (Freddie Smith), Sally Anne Matthews (Jenny Bradley), Dolly-Rose Campbell (Gemma Winter), Bhavana Limbachia (Rana Habeeb), Faye Brookes (Kate Connor) and on-screen dad Richard Hawley (Johnny Connor) have also been confirmed according to the report.
A production insider also revealed that actors are worried about their future on the soap due to all the changes going on at the moment, but bosses are hoping these contact renewals will help to “calm things down”.
The source said: “There is so much going on at the moment that people were uncertain about the future but by doing these contracts it does calm things down.
“There is an incredible amount of work going on with the new set to expand it all, and with that bring new characters in, that there was a genuine feeling some people could face the exit door."
They continued to say that some newcomers are pleased they’ve impressed Corrie bosses and are “ecstatic” they will continue to build upon their characters in the ITV soap.
However, Corrie fans are set for a MAJOR storyline in the coming months, which could result in someone’s death.
An insider revealed to The Sun: "This is going to be upthere with some of the best scenes in Corrie history. Characters are going to be crawling through flames to escape and there's talk of killing at least one."
And recent reports reveal that Denise Welch’s son Louis has auditioned for the soap, hoping to follow in his mum’s footsteps.
Denise, who starred as Natalie Barnes in Corrie, escorted her 15-year-old son to Manchester to see the show bosses, according to the paper.
The source revealed: "Louis felt his audition went really well and ever since their trip Denise just hasn't been able to stop chatting about her son joining the soap.
"It's a really big deal for Denise as obviously Corrie is a big part of her life having been on it between 1997 and 2000 ... It's still not a done deal. But Louis felt like he gave it his all and is crossing everything."
We can’t wait to see if he lands a role, and to see what’s in store for everyone on the cobbles over the next few months!
Is YOUR favourite safe? Who do you want to stay in Corrie?
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