‘Coronation Street’ stars have been warned there’s no guarantee their contracts will be renewed next year.
It was announced last month that ‘Emmerdale’ boss Kate Oates will be taking over from ‘Corrie’ producer Stuart Blackburn in the new year and stars of the ITV soap are now said to be terrified they’ll be axed.
A source shared: "With a new boss coming in and the threat of certain cliques being suddenly under threat, it’s made people a bit panicky.
"A few people have been raising the tentative question about their contracts being renewed or extended, but the answer has been it will all have to wait until the new year — and that has set a few nerves jangling.
"Everyone has been told there will be personal sit-downs with the new boss, who will have her own ideas about how their characters will progress — or not."
The news comes after a number of long-running stars including Ryan Thomas, Craig Charles and Hayley Tamaddon announced their departures over the past few months.
However, it’s not the first time a new producer has prompted a shake-up as Julie Hesmondhalgh, Chris Gascoyne and Michelle Keegan all made the decision to quit after Stuart took over as boss in 2013.
The insider told The Sun newspaper: "There is a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes with various groups of actors and actresses who are in different camps and who were and were not favoured by Stuart Blackburn, so his departure is massive for them all.
"Some are wanting the new boss to stamp her mark on the show by sorting out any perceived favouritism and some are obviously wanting assurances about their financial futures.
"But they have been told: ‘You will just have to wait to see Kate in 2016.’ "
Meanwhile, Simon Gregson – who plays Steve McDonald – is said to be looking forward to making his return after taking time off for personal reasons.
An insider shared: "He is very keen to get back to work and it looks like he is on the mend."
Coronation Street stars warned contracts not safe
