'Coronation Street' cast cull planned?

A string of Coronation Street stars could be facing the axe, according to The Mirror today.

The soap's new chief Steve Frost, who takes over from current supremo Tony Wood at the end of the year, is planning to reduce cast numbers.

Characters such as Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold), screen wife Claire (Julie Haworth), Maria Sutherland (Samia Ghadie), Dev and Sunita Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin and Shobna Gulati) as well as Frankie and Jamie Baldwin (Debra Stephenson and Rupert Hill), may be on the way out.

Recent additions such as mechanic Nathan (Ray Fearon), plus twins Jessie and Joanne (Nailah Cumberbatch and Zaraah Abrahams) could also be axed, according to the report.

"Those departing will still be around for a while. But there looks to be blood on the walls next year and it won't make for nice reading for the cast," a source told the newspaper.

"They are always nervous when someone new comes in or when they hear about long-term conferences. They know their futures are being discussed by the people that really matter. If there is a feeling they have run their course, then sadly the end is not far away."