Corrie stars annoyed over smoking ban

Coronation Street stars have expressed anger at show bosses who took their ashtrays away.

Production manager Claire Winwick sent a memo to cast members last week to explain that ashtrays were being removed from communal areas and dressing rooms, due to new government rules about smoking.

Steven Arnold (Ashley Peacock), Bill Tarmey (Jack Duckworth), Anne Kirkbride (Deirdre Barlow), Bev Callard (Liz McDonald) and Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) are among the stars who regularly smoked at the show's studios.

A source told the Daily Star: "Some of the cast are absolutely livid. They felt they were being treated like children."