Corrie’s Andy Whyment speaks out on what the Covid-19 pandemic means for the soap’s future

"We won’t be able to do big group scenes where everyone is in the Rovers, and if pubs haven’t reopened by then we won’t be able to do any scenes in the Rover at all"

Coronation Street fans were left devastated when production of the hit show was halted back in March. Our weekly trips to Weatherfield have been halved and fans are not coping well without their nightly fix.

But it’s not just the fans who are missing out, it seems nobody is as keen to get back to the cobbles as long serving cast member Andy Whyment.

Whyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland, will celebrate a whopping 20 years on the beloved soap in December.

The dad of two told OK Magazine that Corrie will look very different when filming resumes:

"I can’t quite believe we’ve not been filming for neatly two months, so I really hope we can get back sooner rather than later. I’m best mates with Alan Halsall who plays Tyrone and Sam Aston who plays Chesney, so we FaceTime quite a bit. I'm really missing work and the banter we have there"

"I can’t believe we’ve not been filming for nearly two months, so I really hope we can get back sooner rather than later"

"We’re hoping to get back mid June, that’s what we’re working towards. We have enough episodes in the can until early July, so hopefully we won’t have to go off air.

When asked whether the pandemic will be reference in story lines, he continued:

"I think it will be referenced. They’ve been rewriting all the scripts and it’s been such a massive part of everyone’s lives so the show will probably reflect that. We won’t be able to do big group scenes like where everyone is in the Rovers, and if pubs haven’t reopened by then we won’t be able to do any scenes in the Rover at all.

Whyment celebrates an amazing 20 years on our screens as Kirk Sutherland, admitting he never expected to stay so long, but wouldn't change it for the world:

"I only signed up for seven episodes at the beginning so it’s mad. I still get a buzz now when I drive up to the studio gates and they lift the barriers for me. I am still a massive fan of the show and it’s a privilege to have been there this long.

"I don’t think anybody will outdo Bill, nobody can touch Bill's record" on William Roache, who has played Ken Barlow for an impressive 60 years.

"But I certainly have no desire to leave. When I came out of the jungle people asked me if I wanted to do other things but I don’t.

"Corrie has always been my bread and butter and I'm very lucky that I enjoy what I do. You can’t ask for more than that. When I was in the Royle Family and filming in London, I couldn’t wait to get home and realised how much of a Northern boy I am.

"My highlight has probably been Kirk getting married to Beth - Lisa George, because I never thought Kirk would get married. He has always been unlucky in love.

"As cast, we’re still in the dark about anything 60th anniversary plans, but I’m sure it’ll be big. We’re not doing a live episode for this anniversary but I’m glad about that. You can’t win! People watch it for mistakes and if you don’t make any mistakes people accuse us of not really filming live. I don’t want to do another one."