Coronation Street legend makes cryptic comment about ‘job security’ amid mass exits among the soap’s cast
CORONATION Street actress Jane Danson has left fans scratching their heads after making a cryptic comment about “job security”.
Jane, who has played Leanne Battersby for 30 years, spoke about her future on the ITV soap amid mass exits from the cast.
But after insisting a role on Corrie is “the most secure job” in the industry, she immediately backtracked.
Jane’s sudden about-turn comes as a slew of her co-stars have either recently quit the soap or been axed.
During an appearance on This Morning on Wednesday, Jane hinted that her character Leanne is going nowhere.
She said: “It’s the most secure job you’ll get in this industry. I never dreamed it would pan out so long.”
Jane then quickly added: “And even when it’s secure, it’s never secure. But I’ve been so grateful for it.”
Jane, who described the Corrie set as “home”, continued: “I never would have anticipated being there that long.”
This Morning’s resident ‘soap expert’ Sharon Marshall told her: “Let’s have another 30 years!”
Laughing, Jane replied: “Fingers crossed, fingers crossed!”
Last week, The Sun revealed that Coronation Street bosses have handed Jane’s co-star Simon Gregson a brand new contract on the soap.
However, not everyone has been so lucky.
A number of Corrie stars have been axed and others have decided to abandon the cobbles amid an ongoing cash crisis.
Craig Tinker actor Colson Smith was given the chop after 14 years last autumn. His on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role.
Luca Toolan, who played teenager Mason Radcliffe, was axed after 16 months and Sue Devaney – aka Debbie Webster – was also given the chop.
Sue’s character Debbie will be killed off after 40 years in a long-running dementia storyline.
Other stars who have decided to jump ship amid the show’s money woes include Charlotte Jordan, who plays Daisy Midgeley, Shelley King – aka Yasmeen Metcalfe – and Sue Cleaver, who has portrayed Eileen Grimshaw for 25 years.
Some of those who remain, meanwhile, are making an extra income by hosting tour days for fans on their days off.
Samia Longchambon and Maureen Lipman have been pictured on the set chatting with viewers during the Coronation Street Experience Star Tours.
Colson is also now working for Hays Travel as its ‘Rovers Reporter’, reporting from behind-the-scenes for the soap’s sponsor.
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.
The Sun revealed earlier this month how the stars of Coronation Street have even been barred from the soap’s famous Rovers Return pub.
Each time a character appears they are due a per-episode fee, which can mount up for actors on lucrative deals.
Soaring telly production costs and a fall in advertising is to blame.
The rising costs are putting future of the UK’s most-watched soap at risk and plunged it into crisis.
Cast members have even complained they are being “worked like dogs”, due to long days and the tightening purse at ITV.