Coronation Street and Emmerdale stars 'are bracing themselves for a pay cut as ITV ad revenue falls but station's top talent like Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield and Ant and Dec are safe'
by Sean O'grady For Mailonline- ITV stars are reportedly bracing themselves for pay cuts as the channel's ad revenue has plummeted amid the coronavirus crisis
- Top stars such as Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield and Ant and Dec, are said to be in the clear but the ITV's soap stars are worried about their pay
- According to The Sun, younger stars of Coronation Street and Emmerdale are worried about being able to make ends meet if they don't get any work
- 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'
- ITV reported a 42 per cent fall in ad revenue in April as the pandemic forced the broadcaster to cut its spending
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
ITV stars are reportedly bracing themselves for pay cuts as the channel's ad revenue has plummeted amid the coronavirus crisis.
While the station's top stars such as Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield and Ant and Dec, are said to be in the clear, the channel's soap stars are worried about the cuts.
According to The Sun, a source said reduction in talent pay is 'inevitable' and younger stars of Coronation Street and Emmerdale are worried about being able to make ends meet if they don't get any work.
Many lesser known figures at the station are said to be furious at the prospect of their pay being cut while ITV's top stars will be spared.
A source told the publication: 'Well-known stars know they’ll be touched but there is some anger that it’s unlikely to affect the biggest names.'
The pay cuts are expected in phases with those unable to present shows said to likely be the first who will be affected.
ITV reported a 42 per cent fall in ad revenue in April as the pandemic forced the broadcaster to cut its spending.
While Coronation Street and Emmerdale are set to resume filming, many stars are reportedly worried they won't get enough work.
Those who are paid per episode are particularly worried that their episode count could drop.
Social distancing rules the soaps will be implementing will mean a smaller cast will be required and the slow speed of filming will result in fewer instalments per week.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Coronation Street and Emmerdale for comment.
Earlier this month, sources confirmed Emmerdale bosses have put together a plan for the cast to return to set in June and film with the use of clever camera angles to ensure stars are adhering to social distancing.
It comes just days after MailOnline confirmed Corrie bosses have put together a 'return-to-production protocol' after filming was suspended to follow COVID-19 regulations.
A source told The Sun that bosses are using Emmerdale as the benchmark for filming while adhering to social distancing, as the soap boasts a large set.
It's thought some of the cast will return to production in smaller groups, with scenes filmed with the use of clever camera angles to ensure stars keep at least two metres apart.
A soap insider said: 'Production is starting up again in June. Emmerdale is being used as the benchmark for safety guidelines as they have a lot of space and it's the perfect location to put the social distancing measures into practice.
'Everyone will be adhering to social distancing and scenes will be filmed with smaller groups.
'The teams will be able to film in certain ways which will minimise distancing. The scripting teams are working on creating storylines with fewer characters.'
