FALLING STARS

Coronation Street and Emmerdale stars brace themselves for pay cuts after ITV’s ad revenue plummets due to coronavirus

ITV stars are bracing themselves for pay cuts as the channel’s ad income plummeted due to coronavirus.

Insiders say reduction in talent pay is “inevitable” but the biggest names will be saved.
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Many less high-profile figures are furious at the prospect of the most prominent figures being protected.

The cuts are expected in phases, with those unable to present shows likely to be the first to be affected.

But it is thought stars such as Ant and Dec and Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will be untouched thanks to watertight contracts.

ITV reported a 42 per cent fall in ad revenues in April as the pandemic forced companies to cut spending.

A source said: “Well-known stars know they’ll be touched but there is some anger that it’s unlikely to affect the biggest names.”

The channel’s soap actors are also among those worried despite news that filming will resume.

Many of Emmerdale and Corrie’s younger stars fear they will struggle to make ends meet as they believe they won’t get enough work.

One agent said many stars on soaps who are paid per episode are concerned their episode count will drop.

Social distancing rules will mean smaller casts and the speed of filming will also slow – meaning fewer instalments per week.

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