Coronation Street crisis as stars handed short contracts ‘with some struggling to pay mortgages’

CORRIE stars are set to be offered shorter contracts amid falling viewing figures and a financial squeeze.

Cast members fear cash-strapped producers may guarantee contracts only until the end of 2025.

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.

A source said: “The cast of Corrie is huge and some aren’t getting enough episodes.

“A few paid per episode are struggling to pay mortgages are having to supplement income with personal appearances and ads on Instagram.”

They went on: “A lot of cast members are now on ‘guest contracts’ like Maureen Lipman and Kate Ford.

“These are short term, so they can come and go and take extended breaks.

“The cast have been told they can’t guarantee any contracts beyond the end of 2025.

“Bosses are trying to use a lot of the younger cast who are on less money so the episodes are cheaper to make.

“They have a knife-crime storyline coming up featuring the youngsters when one of them will get stabbed.”

EastEnders was top soap with up to 8.7million seeing Cindy Beale hit with a shovel and left for dead.

The overall No1 slot went to BBC1’s Gavin and Stacey which pulled in 12.5million viewers.

A TV source said: “Corrie is the most-watched soap all year round, usually topping 3.5million with ease.

“But at Christmas, EastEnders reigns supreme.”

Previously Corrie’s new boss Kate Brooks told The Sun: “There are a few exits this year, and some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves.”

And this month we told how the Corrie cast were left fuming after learning their Christmas party was axed due to budget cuts — less than six months after the annual summer bash was also cancelled.

We approached ITV for comment.