More Corrie stars face large salary cuts

A group of veteran Coronation Street stars have been told to expect massive pay cuts, according to a report.

Betty Driver (Betty Williams), Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan), Malcolm Hebden (Norris Cole) and Eileen Derbyshire (Emily Bishop) will start to be paid on a scene-by-scene basis within the next few weeks, the Sunday Mirror claims.

The cast members currently receive between £180,000 and £250,000 per year. However, under the new arrangement, the stars' pay rates would only reach their former levels when the actors are involved in high-profile storylines.

An insider told the newspaper: "It's an absolute disgrace. These stars have given their heart and soul to Corrie over the years. None of them expect to be - or have the energy to be - at the centre of huge ratings-busting plots.

"Betty's nearly 90, Eileen and Barbara are in their 70s and Malcolm Hebden is 68. Instead of being rewarded for their contribution, they are being treated little better than extras."

A Coronation Street spokeswoman confirmed: "It is the season when a lot of the older stars will start negotiations for next year. But we do not discuss artists' payments or contracts."

The news follows reports that Bev Callard, better known as Liz MacDonald on the soap, is facing a 40% salary cut.