The Coronation Street cast are allegedly in turmoil behind the scenes after a source claimed things have turned “toxic” between the stars following a dispute over branded content.
The comments come after recent claims that Corrie stars Samia Longchambon and Sair Khan were cleared to take money-making brand deals by ITV bosses, while others were told they weren’t allowed. The channel has strict rules in place for its soap stars, which means commercial work is only allowed to be done with pre-approval from TV execs.
According to the anonymous actor who supplied the intel, they have had to turn down two offers just this year while mum-of-two, Samia, 42, featured in a reel for Marks & Spencer alongside her Dancing on Ice husband Sylvain Longchambon, to advertise its cafe’s seasonal menu. Sair, 37, was also allowed to post a video of a £2,500 Bertazzoni oven.
Now, speaking exclusively to the Express, a soap insider has revealed that the atmosphere on-set is decidedly dour. They said, “The atmosphere on set has always been a bit tribal. You tend to only really hang around with the people you film with, and with most storylines, you’re with the same people for long stretches of time. But yeah of late more recently, it has started to feel toxic. There’s a definite hierarchy on set, and some of the less experienced cast don’t like it.”
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According to The Sun, Samia and Sair’s deals have enraged colleagues who are feeling the pinch under the soap’s budget cuts and claim that they’ve had to turn down deals because they couldn’t get the approval from bosses. They told the outlet: “It’s one rule for the polished PR favourites, and another for the rest of us. If you’re not part of the golden circle, forget it. They wouldn’t let most of us even do a teeth-whitening collaboration, meanwhile, Samia’s out there posing with pastries. It’s a total p**s take.”
The claims come amid reports that ITV is facing a “cash crisis”, with budget cuts being made. Over the past few months, several Corrie cast members announced their departures from the show, including Eileen Grimshaw star Sue Cleaver and Charlotte Jordan, who plays Daisy Midgeley. Colson Smith filmed his final scenes as Craig Tinker this year, while Paddy Bever also said goodbye to his role as Max Turner.
When asked for comment about the claims of toxicity on set, a spokesperson for Coronation Street was quick to shut them down. They responded: “This is completely untrue. Coronation Street is a fantastic and welcoming place to work. The cast and crew are incredibly supportive of one another and regard colleagues as family.”
The cast of Coronation Street is reportedly facing internal tension behind the scenes, with claims of a “toxic” atmosphere emerging following disputes over branded content and commercial opportunities. Recent reports suggest that ITV’s rules about commercial work for soap stars are causing division, with some cast members being granted lucrative brand deals while others are denied permission to take part in similar opportunities.
The Dispute Over Brand Deals
The controversy began when Corrie stars Samia Longchambon and Sair Khan were reportedly allowed to pursue money-making brand deals, much to the frustration of their colleagues. ITV bosses have strict regulations regarding commercial work, and soap stars must receive pre-approval before accepting brand partnerships. While Samia, 42, featured in a Marks & Spencer campaign alongside her husband, Sylvain Longchambon, to promote the café’s seasonal menu, and Sair, 37, posted a video advertising a £2,500 Bertazzoni oven, other cast members have been reportedly told that they cannot pursue similar deals.
According to an anonymous source who spoke to The Express, this unequal treatment has led to growing frustration among the cast, with some feeling left out and resentful. One actor claimed, “The atmosphere on set has always been a bit tribal. You tend to only really hang around with the people you film with… But yeah, of late more recently, it has started to feel toxic. There’s a definite hierarchy on set, and some of the less experienced cast don’t like it.”
Feeling the Pinch
The frustration has been exacerbated by ITV’s budget cuts, which have reportedly made it harder for the cast to make additional income from brand deals. Several Coronation Street stars have announced their departures from the show in recent months, including Eileen Grimshaw star Sue Cleaver and Charlotte Jordan, who plays Daisy Midgeley. Cast members such as Colson Smith (Craig Tinker) and Paddy Bever (Max Turner) have also said their goodbyes.
According to The Sun, some cast members are upset that Samia and Sair were given the green light to take on brand collaborations while others have had to turn down offers. One disgruntled actor explained, “It’s one rule for the polished PR favourites, and another for the rest of us. If you’re not part of the golden circle, forget it. They wouldn’t let most of us even do a teeth-whitening collaboration, meanwhile, Samia’s out there posing with pastries. It’s a total p**s take.”
ITV’s Cash Crisis and Cast Departures
The claims come amid reports that ITV is grappling with a “cash crisis,” leading to significant budget cuts across its programming. These financial struggles are said to have impacted the Coronation Street set, with cast members feeling the effects of budget constraints and ongoing departures. While some actors are able to supplement their income through brand deals, others are left feeling sidelined and frustrated.
The departure of several cast members this year—coupled with reports of dissatisfaction among the remaining stars—has only intensified concerns about the atmosphere on set. The ongoing changes and financial pressures seem to be creating a divided environment, one that fans may not have seen on-screen but is evidently taking a toll behind the scenes.
ITV Responds to Allegations
In response to the claims of a toxic atmosphere on set, a spokesperson for Coronation Street was quick to deny the allegations. They told The Sun: “This is completely untrue. Coronation Street is a fantastic and welcoming place to work. The cast and crew are incredibly supportive of one another and regard colleagues as family.”
Despite ITV’s denial, the allegations of internal strife among the cast are clearly making waves, and fans will be watching closely to see if these tensions come to light in future storylines or behind-the-scenes developments.
Conclusion
The reports of a “toxic” atmosphere behind the scenes of Coronation Street paint a picture of a soap opera in turmoil, with cast members reportedly divided over brand deals, financial struggles, and ongoing departures. While ITV has denied the allegations, the friction within the cast appears to be a source of tension that is impacting the show’s environment. Whether this will affect the chemistry on-screen remains to be seen, but for now, it seems that the drama on Coronation Street is not limited to just the storylines.
