It’s been revealed today that in a not unexpected revamp of the show, new producer Stuart Blackburn has axed characters Lewis Archer and Kirsty Soames…

Blackburn took over the role of producer from Phil Collinson just a matter of weeks ago, and as we reported recently, Blackburn intended to speak to each and every cast member about their role on the show.

And Corrie star Jack P Shepherd, who of course plays David Platt, had remarked late last year that the cast were in fear of “grim reaper” Blackburn and were nervous about which of the stars could be axed when he became producer.

And according to the Mirror today, the first of those to go are Nigel Havers and Natalie Gumede who play the roles of conman Lewis Archer and nutty mum Kirsty Soames respectively. Read more & comment »

It’s been reported today that Corrie’s new series producer Stuart Blackburn – who’s about to leave his role at Emmerdale to take over at Coronation Street from Phil Collinson – is planning to introduce more ethnic character to the soap.

Speaking to the Daily Star about his plans to shake-up the show, Blackburn said, “This is a show about a community in 21st century class Britain.

“The characters have to be recognisable to people living that life.

“All modern cities now have a massively diverse ethnicity. That’s what we’ve got to address.” Read more & comment »

Emmerdale’s executive producer Stuart Blackburn is moving over to Coronation Street to take over as producer there from Phil Collinson, and it seems that the cast of the show are in mortal dread that Blackburn may axe their characters.

Blackburn – who’s been dubbed “the grim reaper” due to his propensity to oversee major soapy disaster storylines that see characters killed off – has reportedly summoned each and every cast member to have a one-to-one with him about what they see as their future on the show.

Speaking to the Mirror, a show insider said, “There are a few people full of jitters in here.

“They don’t know whether their faces will fit or not.

“And with mortgages and commitments to think of it’s a panicky time for a few people… Read more & comment »

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 »

Emmerdale’s series producer Stuart Blackburn has been discussing the forthcoming landmark live episode – which airs on Wednesday, October 17th at 7pm – with BBC News, and he’s revealed that the organization of the hour-long broadcast has been “a logistical and financial nightmare at every single level.”

Blackburn has of course signed up award winning director Tony Prescott to oversee the live 40th anniversary episode, and the pair have had extensive discussions about planning for all eventualities with regard to what might go wrong during the live show.

But understandably one of their biggest worries is that the weather – which is not notoriously clement in October in Yorkshire – will scupper the live broadcast.

During the interview with the BBC, Blackburn revealed that at the moment, one of his biggest concerns is that there could be gale force winds on the night… Read more & comment »

There are of course just a few weeks left until Emmerdale airs its landmark hour-long live episode, much of which will feature scenes outdoors…

And as Yorkshire and the surrounding areas are currently being battered by wind and heavy – damn near torrential – rain, the show’s bosses are said to be very worried that the live broadcast could be ruined if the extreme weather doesn’t improve.

When the live show was first announced, one of the first questions on everybody’s lips was, “Do you have a Plan B if the weather turns bad?”

And in response, the show’s series producer Stuart Blackburn joked that there is no ‘Plan B’

He added, “An hour one October evening in a field on a hill in Yorkshire – what could possibly go wrong?”

He went on to say, “It is thrilling and terrifying measure, I think. The village is my favourite character in the show… Read more & comment »

It’s been revealed today that Emmerdale’s landmark forthcoming live episode – which is set to air in October as part of the show’s 40th anniversary celebrations – will be directed by BAFTA award winning director, Tony Prescott.

Prescott has worked on both Emmerdale and Coronation Street previously, and he in fact directed Corrie’s live tram crash episode. He’s also directed episodes of Caroline Aherne’s comedy The Mrs Merton Show and The Krypton Factor.

He received his BAFTA award in 2006 for services to the television industry.

Of the news, Emmerdale’s producer Stuart Blackburn said, “The entire live episode is going to be shot on-location at the Emmerdale village set in the Yorkshire Dales… Read more & comment »

Stuart Blackburn

Emmerdale’s executive producer, Stuart Blackburn, has revealed that he and the show’s writers have come up with some “spectacular” storylines for the show’s forthcoming 40th anniversary.

Speaking while appearing on This Morning, he teased that episodes in October will focus on a wedding and the birth of two babies.

Of being at the Emmerdale helm at the time of the show’s milestone, Blackburn said, “It’s incredibly exciting and a real privilege.”

He added, “Obviously this year it’s all about the story. We’ve got to somehow get these stories as exciting and powerful and gripping as they’ve ever been.

“We’ve got some spectacular stuff coming up… Read more & comment »

News from Yorkshire today includes Emmerdale’s executive producer Stuart Blackburn hinting that John and Moira Barton – who’re played by James Thornton and Natalie J Robb – could be about to reunite…

Plus, in collaboration with This Morning, the show is on the look out for a special dog to join the cast. Find out how you can suggest your pooch for the role after the jump!

But first, the news that the show’s producer has hinted John and Moira Barton may get back together came when he was discussing what lies ahead for the villagers.

John and Moira have of course been separated since she admitted to having had an affair with Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) and Moira spent a lonely Christmas away from her family… Read more & comment »

Emmerdale star Jeff Hordley, who of course plays baddest of bad lads, Cain Dingle, has told Inside Soap that he’s loving his new shaved-head look.

Jeff had to shave his hair off for the Judgement Day storyline, or rather, its aftermath, since Cain had surgery on his brain and therefore had to have his head shaved.

Jeff, who’s married to his Emmerdale co-star Zoe Henry, said, “My new hair is really working for me!

“It’s no fuss in the shower, and soon it’ll have grown out into a crew cut, which I really like.

“I didn’t like it when my hair was first shaved off, though. I thought I looked like Sam the Eagle from The Muppet Show – the character with the big eyebrows… Read more & comment »

It’s been reported today that Emmerdale star Charlie Hardwick – who of course plays Val Pollard – has landed a role in a new theatre based comedy entitled, The Awkward Squad.

Digital Spy report that Charlie will take up the role next year in the production, which is described as “state-of-the-nation” play which focuses on the challenges women in our society face.

Emmerdale writer Karin Young wrote the play, and while she’s starring in it, Charlie will take a three month break from Emmerdale.

The Awkward Squad will be staged at The Customs House South Shields as of February 28. Thereafter, it will be performed in London’s Arts Theatre from March 6, and at York’s Theatre Royal from April 9… Read more & comment »

Stuart Blackburn

Emmerdale’s executive producer Stuart Blackburn, has revealed that he’d love to have Corrie character Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden) and EastEnders legend Dot Cotton (June Brown) on the rural soap.

Speaking to Inside Soap magazine, he said, “I adore Norris, and I’d love to bring Dot and Edna together, because despite being superficially similar, I think they’d hate each other.”

Blackburn went on to say, “They’d probably each describe the other as sanctimonious and po-faced!”

Blackburn was interviewed by the magazine about Emmerdale’s 40th anniversary next year, for which he has a whole host of exciting storylines planned.

He said, “We’re hoping to do something very different that redefines our new, modern Emmerdale… Read more & comment »