Nightmare on Coronation Street

William Roache and Eileen Derbyshire, aka Ken Barlow and Emily Bishop from ITV's Coronation Street are the only members of the 40-strong cast which are guaranteed not to get the axe.

In a report in The Sun newspaper today, it is claimed that the two actors will not be killed off until at least December, when the show celebrates it's 40th anniversary. Eileen has been with the show since 1961, whilst Bill is the only surviving cast member from the soap's first episode in 1960.

Those rumoured to be sacked in the near future include Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell), Alma Baldwin (Amanda Barrie) and Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs).

Meanwhile, those known to be departing in the near future include: Leanne Tilsley (Jane Danson), Nita Desai (Rebecca Sarker), Spider (Martin Hancock), Gary Mallett (Ian Mercer), Mark Baldwin (Paul Fox), Alison Webster (Naomi Radcliffe), Gwen Loveday (Annie Hulley), and, more recently, Jim McDonald (Charlie Lawson).