THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Coronation Street’s Bill Roache insists soap will never go off the air during coronavirus pandemic
CORONATION Street legend Bill Roache has assured fans that the soap won’t go off air during the coronavirus pandemic.
The actor – who plays Ken Barlow – told Good Morning Britain that the ITV show still has “about four months” to go after Corrie bosses revealed new episodes would be stretched out for as long as possible.
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Speaking alongside his daughter, Verity, Bill told Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid: “I gather we had, I think quite a while. Because it was going out six times a week, they’re rationing it to three times a week, and I think we had about two months.
“So I’m not quite sure, but I think we have maybe about four months to go.”
It was announced the soap would be airing just three days a week because of government guidelines around filming.
Bill said that even if the episodes do run out, producers will have an action plan to ensure Corrie fans can still get their fix.
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He said: “We’ve got 60 years to draw on, so I don’t think we’ll be going off-air, even when they run out!
“There’s plenty they can be showing and doing. But I think we have got about four months in all, or probably three more, I’m not quite sure.”
Last week, Jennie McAlpine and Beverley Callard revealed how they’re adjusting to the current situation.
Jennie, who plays Fiz Brown in the soap, told Radio 5 Live: “I keep putting it on at half eight, but then I think, ‘Oh no, Corrie’s not on’.
“They’ve limited our Corrie output now, so there’s only three on instead of six.”
She continued: “I know people might be missing those three episodes but at least it means we’ve got a bit more time.
“I know our bosses are working really hard every day assessing the situation.”
Beverley, who plays Liz McDonald then chimed in: “And they’re panicking like mad aren’t they? But, of course, you can’t not.
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“Even if it does come to an end and we run out of episodes, the writers will be going mad, they’ll be excited to create new storylines and everything.
“Because we’ve got a massive team of writers, so they’ll keep it going,” she added.
Their comments come after co-star Andy Whyment claimed Coronation Street will go off air if it can’t resume filming by June.
Speaking on the United Podcast, the Kirk Sutherland actor said: “I think we’ve got until the beginning of July in the can.
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“So we need to get back hopefully by the middle of June with a bit of luck, otherwise it’s going to go off air.
“We’ve cut down from six episodes a week to three episodes a week, obviously to stay, but hopefully we’ll get back.
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