Casting troubles for 'Footballers' Wives'?

Footballers' Wives producers are struggling to cast four lead roles, with just three weeks to go before a new series begins filming.

A host of new characters will be appearing in the next series, after most of the current stars were axed or quit the show.

Last week, Jamie Davies, better known as Harley on the ITV1 drama, was dropped from the programme. Zoe Lucker (Tanya), Ben Price (Conrad), Alison Newman (Hazel), Marcel McCalla (Noah) and Elaine Glover (Katie) have also left the show.

"A lot of people are sweating here," an insider told The People. "We're working at double speed to be ready."

Sarah Matravers and Nicholas Ball, who play Joley Slater and Gerry Ryan on ITV2 spin-off show Extra Time, will be joining the main cast for the next series.

The casting delay is being blamed on the Extra Time spin-off, which has kept producers busy in the run-up to the new series.

"It took up a lot of the summer and our normal preparation time," the insider added.

Producer Cameron Roach explained, "I'm in the process of casting but I hope to be done in a week or so."