The stars of 'Coronation Street', 'EastEnders' and 'Emmerdale' are all "terrified" for their jobs after learning that multiple characters will be written out.
Soap stars are worried about their jobs after learning that multiple characters will be killed off
The three soap operas are all reportedly planning a "bloodbath" over the course of the coming months and insiders have now claimed some of the higher earners are worried that they could "face the chop" after bosses have been told to cut cast wage bills by 25 per cent.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "There is about to be a bloodbath across 'Corrie', 'Emmerdale' and 'EastEnders' — and it won’t be pretty.
"All the big three have all been told they need to cut their wage bills by up to 25 per cent.
"Now there is panic in the green rooms about who could be facing the chop. Some of the veterans are terrified they could be next — especially the older generation who are all earning well over £200,000."
The insider went on to describe the atmosphere behind the scenes at all three soaps as being "full of fear" as the casts worry about what will be in store for them in what is being called the most "perilous" time to be working in the world of serial drama.
They said: "The corridors are full of fear. It could be anyone who gets a script that tells them their time is up. Working in soaps has never been more perilous than it is now.
Some of the highest earners in soap include the likes of Street legend Barbara Knox - who has played Rita Tanner on ITV's 'Coronation Street for over 50 years and is thought earn £250,000 a year for the part - whilst 'Eastenders' star Lacey Turner is thought to take home up a salary of £200,000 for her role as Stacey Slater on the BBC rival.
Earlier this month, an Ofcom report revealed that soap viewing figures are at an all-time low amid the rise of streaming services.
A source explained: "Fewer people watching the ITV soaps means less money from advertising. And for 'EastEnders', their dismal viewing figures make a mockery of their enormously expensive new set — paid for by the licence fee.
"The issue all three are facing is how they can claw fans back.
“Your average soap fan is likely to be older, and younger people are turning off from traditional TV and are using streaming sites.
“The soaps are also having to compete against one another more than ever. ITV moved 'Corrie' and 'Emmerdale' to create a 90-minute news broadcast every night — meaning the BBC had to choose which one they compete against.
“They chose the same slot as 'Emmerdale' but now put episodes on iPlayer at 6am so fans can easily watch it to stop the clash. It has become dog-eat-dog.”
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