There are going to be less recognisable Coronation Street stars propping up the bar in the Rovers Return thanks to cost-cutting measures on the beloved soap

Coronation Street’s well known faces could be barred from appearing in scenes set in the Rovers Return as part of new cost-cutting measures.

Every time a familiar face appears in a scene set in the pub, even if they are sitting in the background and have no dialogue, the actor receives a per-episode fee, which can be quite a lucrative earner. However, Coronation Street bosses are reported to have clamped down on the number of times this can happen, meaning the Rovers could look quite empty of locals from now on.

Soaring television production costs are partly to blame for the cost-cutting and a fall in advertising revenue could even mean the soap itself is in jeopardy after being on our TV screens for 65 years. It certainly means some well known actors are now barely seen if they don’t have a big storyline, with iconic stars like Michael LeVell, William Roache and Sue Nicholls all appearing in less than 50 episodes each in the past year, and beloved Barbara Knox, who plays Rita, only popping up in fifteen.

There could be less people standing at the Rovers bar in future

An insider has told The Sun: “The cast loved the days when lots of scenes were filmed in the Rovers because it didn’t matter if you had 10 scenes in an episode or just sat in the pub – you’d get paid the same. Playing a barmaid or the landlord was a dream gig and would guarantee you got paid a fortune because it didn’t matter if you just served someone in the background – you got paid for the episode.”

The news comes as some fans are worried about an exodus of well known faces from Corrie. Following Helen Worth’s departure after 50 years on the soap playing Gail, a handful of other actors are leaving Coronation Street this year, including Charlotte Jordan who plays Daisy Midgeley. Announcing her departure, she said: “My time at Coronation Street is something I will always cherish. It’s been a privilege to be part of a wonderful institution with even more wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much. After a brilliant four years for Daisy on The Street, it’s time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.”

An empty Rovers could become a more familiar sight (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

An insider told The Mirror: “The producers fully understand Charlotte’s desire to explore other projects, she is a talented ambitious actress. She advised the show of her decision to leave last April when she started her latest contract, giving a year’s notice and plenty of time for the producer and writing team to devise a dramatic exit storyline which has already started to play out screen. She will be on screen until early summer.”

Lucy Fallon, who plays Bethany Platt, is also due to leave, but only temporarily. Lucy announced that she is expecting a baby, so Bethany will be written out for a time while Lucy is on maternity leave. However, Colson Smith, who plays Craig Tinker, Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, and Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) are all set to leave in the coming months, while Luca Toolan, who played Mason Radcliffe, has already departed from Weatherfield.