Crisis-hit Coronation Street signs up two show legends on new year-long contracts amid cast cull
CORONATION Street bosses have clinched two stellar signings after a pair of fan-favourites agreed to brand new deals, The Sun can reveal.
It will come as a huge boost to the crisis-hit ITV soap after a slew of stars quit amid cash woes.
We can exclusively confirm how Kevin Webster actor Michael Le Vell, 60, and his former on-screen wife, Sally Metcalfe, played by Sally Dynevor, 61, will remain on Coronation Street for at least another year.
A source told us: “Fans will be delighted to find out that despite all the exits on the cobbles, two of the show’s biggest stars have committed to another year on the soap.
“Both Michael and Sally jumped at the chance to stay and bosses were really happy about it!”
The Sun has contacted ITV for comment.
Earlier this week, we reported how an award-winning actress dubbed “the next Michelle Keegan” was the fifth in weeks to leave the tea-time show.
Charlotte Jordan, 28, who plays Rovers barmaid Daisy Midgeley, will bow out later this year.
Charlotte told sources that despite “loving the show” she is hungry to see what other opportunities await.
SOAP TURMOIL
The popular star’s exit comes after four actors announced they are quitting or have been written out of the soap since December.
ITV shows Corrie and Emmerdale have both seen budgets slashed recently.
New Corrie boss Kate Brooks warned last month she will be axing characters including “some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves”.
Colson Smith (Craig Tinker), Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) and Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) are quitting or have been written out.
Sean Wilson was axed in September over a historical sex claim of which he was later cleared.
He had been due to return as Martin Platt as part of the departure storyline for Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth.
Meanwhile, the existing cast were left furious after their Christmas party was scrapped following the string of budget cuts.
Coronation Street's 2024 shock exits
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.
It comes after their summer bash was also cancelled and the stars were forced to splash the cash on their own do.
The moves come as Coronation Street failed to make the Christmas Day TV top ten.
Just 2.6million viewers watched Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, bid farewell to Weatherfield after 50 years.
Actress Sally Ann Matthews also took to her Instagram Live during the festive period to claim ITV had “no money” – while revealing what she “hated most” about the long-running programme.
Jenny Bradley actress Sally’s comments came after fears her role had been axed this summer.
Yet she was promptly hauled into a chat with show bosses following the outburst.