Coronation Street viewers slam ‘the worst episode in 50 years’ amid huge cast exodus and backstage crisis at ITV soap
CORRIE fans have slammed what they’re calling “the worst episode in 50 years” following a huge cast exodus and reported backstage turmoil at the ITV soap.
ITV viewers have voiced their frustration over the recent direction of the soap, after a resident was held at knifepoint in Monday night’s episode.
In a heart-stopping scene, former baddie Rob Donavan (Marc Baylis) stepped up in an unexpected twist, risking everything to protect his son from a dangerous attacker.
Bobby Crawford (Jack Carroll) visited his dad in prison after he said he was considering donating his kidney to sick sister Carla Connor (Alison King).
However, their conversation was interrupted after Matty Radcliffe pulled a knife at the prison guards.
Matty threatened to stab Bobby, after discovering that he was Rob’s son.
He held a knife to Bobby’s throat while Rob yelled at Matty to calm down, as he would be a risk of doubling his sentence.
Rob resulted into tackling Matty which made him drop the knife, free Bobby and was then restrained by the prison officers.
Bobby thanked Rob for saving his life and later told Carla what happened and that his dad is a changed man.
However, the attack appeared to be a set up after viewers learned that Rob and Matty are actually cellmates.
Rob praised Matty for his Oscar-worthy performance and threatened him to continue to listen to his orders.
However, viewers were left unimpressed by the scenes, saying it was “laughable”.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one viewer write: “This is honestly the most stupid episode of coronation street I’ve ever seen.”
Another added: “That prison scene was just laughable!”
A third penned: “How the hell did Matt get hold of a knife!? This is one of the worst episodes I’ve sat through in 50+ years!”
Corrie cash crisis: shock exits for 2025
ITV bosses are locked in a battle to save the cash-strapped soap.
This means that a number of stars have either been axed from or have abandoned the long-running serial drama.
Colson Smith – Craig Tinker
The character of Craig Tinker has been axed by bosses after 14 years. After he was told of the news in Autumn 2024, Colson Smith confirmed that would be written out of the show with scenes to air later this year. Craig’s on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role.
Sue Cleaver – Eileen Grimshaw
After 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw, former I’m A Celebrity campmate Sue Cleaver will quit the show. The Sun on Sunday reported in January that she’s already begun to film her exit scenes. However the character will not be killed off in case Sue opts to make a return in the future.
Luca Toolan – Mason Radcliffe
Bosses decided to axe the teenage character after just 16 months after he first joined the show. Recent scenes saw Mason stabbed by his criminal brothers after his pal Dylan brought a knife in an attempt to defend him.
Sue Devaney – Debbie Webster
In November 2024, we revealed that Debbie Webster is set to be killed off after 40 years on the cobbles. The character will die as part of a heartbreaking long-running dementia storyline.
Charlotte Jordan – Daisy Midgeley
The actress became the fifth star to leave Coronation Street in just one month. We revealed that she will bow out of the ITV soap later this year after four years on-screen. Charlotte told sources that she’s hungry to see what other opportunities await.
Shelley King – Yasmeen Metcalfe
The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and we revealed in January that she finished filming her final scenes. This follows the departure of her on-screen partner Stu Carpenter.
A fourth chimed in: “No wonder Corrie actors are abandoning ship. What the hell has happened to this once great soap ? It’s ruined. Useless writers.”
This comes after Shelley King was announced as the latest star to leave the soap.
The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and has now finished filming her final scenes.
Last week The Sun told how Charlotte Jordan, 28, who plays Rovers barmaid Daisy Midgeley, will bow out later this year.
Her exit came after four actors announced they are quitting or have been written out of the soap since December.
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.
We told how actors have vented their fury on a WhatsApp group over fears they could be next to be cut.
The soap is battling for survival amid ITV’s cash crisis and a revolt from cast over working conditions and pay.