Soap stars from Coronation Street and Emmerdale are reportedly threatening to go on strike after ITV slashed the number of guaranteed episodes, leading to potential pay cuts. An email from ITV management informed around 140 actors and their agents that new contracts would be reduced by a sixth starting this summer.
A source told The Sun: “It’s caused uproar. There was no consultation. They effectively told the stars to ‘take it or leave it’.” Some actors have been left in tears and are worried about paying their bills, according to reports.
An ITV spokesperson said: “In line with ITV's new scheduling pattern for the soaps introduced at the beginning of the year, we have revised the number of guaranteed episodes offered to the Coronation Street and Emmerdale actors.” Actors are paid per episode, so fewer guaranteed episodes could mean lower incomes, though many may still exceed the minimum and see no change.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has reportedly been contacted by a veteran cast member to help resolve the crisis, with plans to hold discussions with the Equity union. The schedule changes come after both soaps were pulled from their usual slots last week due to live rugby coverage.
