A few weeks ago, when it was reported that Emmerdale’s current series producer Stuart Blackburn was to take over from Corrie producer Phil Collinson early next year, it was claimed that up to ten Coronation Street characters could be axed in a shake-up of the soap.

At the time, ITV denied that would be the case, however an spokesperson added the caveat that they couldn’t comment on what Blackburn would or wouldn’t do in the role.

However today, it’s been reported that Corrie star Jack P Shepherd, who of course plays David Platt, reckons that he and his fellow cast members are “terrified” at the prospect of being written out.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Jack said, “We’re terrified. It’s always the same, with people asking, ‘Have you heard? New boss, what’s he like?’

“But I remember Stuart. Thankfully, I’ve a good relationship with him…” Read more & comment »

The stars of Coronation Street have been left feeling very uneasy as producers of the show have revealed they are about to have their “biggest clear out in years” meaning several stars will face the chop, according to the Daily Star newspaper.

Notorious for his no-nonsense attitude, new executive producer Stuart ­Blackburn, who is due to start in January, is reportedly plotting a huge shake up to the staffing roster in order to make the show his own, earning him the nickname the “grim reaper” by some of the younger actors.
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It’s been revealed today that Stuart Blackburn, who is currently the executive producer on Emmerdale, is to take over the role of series producer on Coronation Street from Phil Collinson.

It’s expected that Blackburn will take over the reigns at Corrie in January, however, Collinson will be staying on at ITV but will be working with Kieran Roberts on a new drama.

Of the move to Corrie, Blackburn said, “I’m in the very privileged position of producing Emmerdale’s hour-long live episode to celebrate the programme’s 40th birthday…

“And I get to produce Coronation Street too. Life just couldn’t get any better.

“Emmerdale is a very special programme to me, as I was born and brought up in West Yorkshire.

“I’m in total admiration of the cast and production team as they are all incredibly talented people. They do an amazing job and I’ll be sad to leave them… Read more & comment »

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson has teased fans of the show, saying that Christmas on the cobbles will be “amazing!”

Revealing that Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) and Leanne Barlow (Jane Danson) will be at the heart of the festive storylines with a will-they-won’t-they marry plotline, Collinson also revealed that the return of Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) and Carla Connor (Alison King) is set to put the cat among the pigeons with regard to Leanne and Nick’s big day.

He also hinted that there’s a very big yuletide storyline for the Platt family, saying that “a dark secret” will be exposed, and when it is, it could “blow the Platts apart.”

And while speaking to the Daily Star, Paula Lane, who of course plays feisty Kylie Platt, has offered further teasers, saying, “I can’t say much, but viewers will see Kylie is trying to up her game in the world.

“You’ll see some heart-wrenching scenes. She spills out her emotions to Gail, the only mother figure she’s ever had…” Read more & comment »

Coronation Street’s series producer Phil Collinson has revealed that he’s leaving the job at the end of the year, and he’d apparently like to out with a bang via the medium of blowing up The Rovers!

Phil, who’s spearheaded some of the show’s most controversial storylines and character introductions, such as bringing in Michelle Collins to play Stella Price, revealed earlier on this year that he would be leaving the show this year.

However, of his plan to end his reign with a super dramatic storyline, such as an explosion at the pub, some of the cast members are apparently worried that he might kill their characters off before he goes.

A show source told the Daily Mirror, “Blowing up the Rovers would be the most dramatic thing to happen on the Street.

“Phil thinks millions of extra viewers would tune in… Read more & comment »

There have been rumours flying round for months that Coronation Street were looking to cast a new hunk for the street as they introduced Carla Connor’s (Alison King) brother, with the name linked to the job on most people’s lips being that of Kym Marsh‘s (who plays Michelle Connor) fiancée, Jamie Lomas.

Lomas even auditioned for the part and, at the time, a source close to the couple commented that they were excited at the thought of working with each other, but it would seem that he didnt fit the bill,  or perhaps Marsh just changed her mind after the recent allegations that Lomas had been cheating on her, as it has now been announced that Marc Baylis has been cast to play the devilishly handsome bad boy, Rob Donovan.
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Yesterday, Coronation Street’s executive producer, Phil Collinson, dropped lots of hints about forthcoming storylines, including one in which Rita Sullivan will be kidnapped on her wedding day, and another which will see Stella Price battling to keep the Rovers…

Collinson also confirmed that Royle Family star Sue Johnston will join the cast as Stella’s (Michelle Collins) mother, Gloria.

Of the character, Collinson said, “She’s a terrifying, domineering, overbearing mother, so there’s going to be some real sparks flying.”

And of the storyline which could see Stella forced to leave the pub, that begins with Betty Williams’ funeral which will air next month… Read more & comment »

Corrie’s executive producer, Phil Collinson – who was once dubbed Phil ‘Cullinson’ after axing a number of the show’s cast – is often on the receiving end of fair amount of criticism about some of the show’s storylines…

However, Helen Worth, who plays the relatively luckless Gail McIntyre, reckons Phil is just “remarkable.”

In an interview with the Radio Times, Helen said of Collinson, “He’s remarkable. And he’s done some amazing things in the past two years and written some fantastic storylines.

“And they just keep coming. I don’t know how, but thank goodness they do.”

And when asked if she agreed with any of the criticism leveled recently about the apparent crime wave on the Street, Helen said, “People turn on to see it, so it can’t be all wrong, can it?”

Helen’s also fairly happy for her character to be unhappy! She said, “I’m not too worried about Gail ever finding happiness because being happy doesn’t make for good stories…” Read more & comment »

It’s been reported today that the cast of Coronation Street have been “begging bosses” to end the plethora of violent storylines that we’ve seen on the show of late.

They have of course included rape and several murders, which, when he took on the role of executive producer in 2010, Phil Collinson – once dubbed ‘Cullinson’ for axing a number of the cast – vowed to steer away from during his tenure with the show.

However, he oversaw the outcome of John Stape’s (Graeme Hawley) murderous reign of terror, and the spectacular tram crash for the show’s 50th anniversary which killed off Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) and Ashley Peacock (Steve Arnold).

And of course, since then, he introduced the storyline that focused on Frank Foster (Andrew Lancel) and Carla Connor (Alison King)… Read more & comment »

As fans of Corrie will know, the storyline which began with Frank Foster raping his then fiancé Carla Connor, and which featured him being found not guilty by a jury, will come to a climax when the character is murdered next month.

However, inevitably, there were raised eyebrows and out and out complaints about how the popular soap handled such a contentious issue, with many claiming that the fact Frank (Andrew Lancel) was found not guilty could have put real life rape victims off reporting the crime.

It was also claimed that some of the scenes, in particular those in which Frank menaced Carla (Alison King) outside the court before and during the trial, inaccurately reflected the procedures that an accused person must adhere to with regard to contacting alleged victims.

However, while addressing the annual conference of St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester, the show’s executive producer, Phil Collinson, said, “I do agree that there were some procedural things in the court that we did get wrong…” Read more & comment »

It’s been reported today that Corrie’s executives wants Kat Kelly to return to the show – and her role as Becky McDonald – even though her final scenes haven’t even aired yet!

However, they will do, on Monday to be precise, but while speaking to the Daily Mirror about Kat’s departure, producer Phil Collinson said he’d “love” for her to return to the show.

He said of a possible return for Kat, “I’d love that. I remember being a viewer when Sarah Lancashire as Raquel came back.

“What an amazing piece of TV that was. It felt so important and iconic. I read it was going to happen and thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s genius…’ Read more & comment »

Coronation Street star Kym Marsh has revealed that she doesn’t as yet know if her contract with the show will be renewed when her current one ends in June of this year.

However, she added that she would love to stay on the show, and in the role of her character Michelle Connor.

Speaking to the PA about her future on the show, Kym said, “I’ve no idea yet, I don’t know if they want me to stay, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

“I would like to stay, if it’s right for me and right for them I’ll definitely stay, but there are two parties involved and it’s got to work for everybody.

“I’m sure that there’s always things going on. She’s just gone into the factory and everything, I’m looking forward to seeing where she goes next.”

Well, the man who has the ultimate decision over that is the show’s executive producer, Phil Collinson, and he’s been telling the Daily Star what lies ahead for some of the show’s characters this year… Read more & comment »

Corrie’s executive producer, Phil Collinson – who was dubbed ‘Phil Cullinson’ after making sweeping cuts to cast members when he took over the role of producer – has teased that there’s heartbreak ahead for two of Corrie’s couples.

However, he also revealed that he’d love to see Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox) finding marital bliss at last with Dennis Tanner (Phillip Lowrie).

Collinson made his remarks about the two conflicting storylines in a recent interview with Inside Soap magazine, in which he first revealed that in the run up to Christmas on the cobbles, Peter Barlow and wife Leanne are to be torn apart by Peter’s love for Carla.

And in addition, Stella Price’s partner Karl Munro will push her loyalty to the limit when he develops a gambling addiction. Read more & comment »

It’s been reported today that Corrie regulars and crew members are becoming increasingly unhappy with the show’s boss, Phil Collinson, under whose reign, viewing figures have slumped from an average of 9.8 million to just 7.1 million last week.

It seems that Corrie star are now planning a series of meetings to establish the future plans for the soap.

An unnamed cast member said: “Things have not been going smoothly for a while and there is a growing discontent amongst some of the cast.

“Even some of the crew can’t believe where the show is going.

“There is a talk of a clear-the-air meeting with the producer, he is a strong-minded individual who sticks to his guns once he has made his mind up about something.”

To add to their frustration, some cast members have accused the producer of “favouritism” and giving certain stars bigger storylines and more screen time than others. Read more & comment »

Phil Collinson, the executive producer of Corrie who’s been dubbed ‘Cull-inson’ for his notorious axing of characters, could be facing being ditched himself as the show’s bosses struggle to get viewers back to the flagging soap.

Viewing numbers have hit an all time low of late, and a show insider told The Sun, “Phil’s position is fast becoming untenable.

“He’s a talented guy who has a great career ahead of him, but Corrie isn’t the vehicle he should be driving.

“EastEnders swept the board at award shows when they celebrated their 25th anniversary last year but despite having such an expensive set-up for the tram crash, Corrie couldn’t even win the Best Soap prize at the National TV Awards.

“He will leave in 2012 – on set there is very little talk of anything else.”

Collinson has also come under fire for his decision to hire Michelle Collins in the role of Stella Price, and never more so than since viewers have complained about Michelle’s “dodgy” Manchester accent. Read more & comment »