Panic on the Street

CASH-STRAPPED Corrie bosses have sparked massive panic by reducing the number of stars who can appear in each storyline.

- LAURA ARMSTRONG

Sources last night revealed ITV chiefs faced with shrinking budgets are scaling down costs by adopting a "minimal" approach and cutting down on group scenes, such as those filmed in the Rovers Return.

But the move has created a backlash among some of the soap's stars many of whom are paid by the scene. They are said to have become aware of a marked difference in the scripts last month.

It comes as show bosses are also said to have slashed the number of extras used, and increased "back-to-back" filming when actors start on set at 7am and film all day.

One insider said: "The bosses have decided we will take a far more minimal approach to storylines going forward, and are cutting the number of actors who appear in them. As large numbers of the cast are paid by scene, that means paying fewer actors to be on set.

"The changes haven't gone down well with the cast. Many of them are panicking about what these cuts mean for their futures.

"The Corrie cast is absolutely massive it has well over 50 cast members in total - and some of them haven't filmed for weeks, so they are starting to get really worried about the axe falling on them before long.

"There is currently a real feeling of disquiet behind the scenes and people are openly sharing their concerns." UNSETTLING Reducing the number of actors in scenes will save bosses money on travel - getting actors to the set in cars-hair and make-up, and lighting the source revealed.

They went on: "The more these costs are reduced, the more likely it is that we can meet them with our in-house team, whereas previously the show has leaned heavily on freelance help, which is much more expensive."

Insiders told how under-pressure bosses at the ITV soap, which has just over three million viewers, have opted for a more streamlined approach rather than cutting the number of episodes airing each week.