'Coronation Street' bosses have signed up several of the soap's biggest stars to new deals.

Bill Roache

Bill Roache

Bill Roache - who has played Ken Barlow on the ITV soap since the show's first-ever episode in December 1960 - Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) and Sally Dynevor (Sally Metcalfe) are among the cobbles legends who are said to have penned new contracts to remain in Weatherfield.

A source said: "These are the lifeblood of the show and, frankly, it would not be 'Corrie' without them."

Michael Le Vell (Kevin Webster) and Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw) are also said to be among the stars whose services have been secured until "at least 2021".

The source added to The Sun newspaper: "Despite a difficult year, bosses were delighted when they agreed deals, keeping them on screen until at least 2021.

"Between them, they have given nearly 200 years to the show."

'Corrie' will celebrate their 60th anniversary next month, and show boss Iain MacLeod recently teased fans can look forward to a "very high-octane thriller sequence".

And while Covid restrictions made it tougher to film than usual, the soap put the actors in their own seclusion bubbles to ensure they could come within the two-metre social distancing rules.

When asked if fans can expect some action during the anniversary week next month, Iain replied: "There is indeed. Probably less than we would've done had we not been in the middle of a pandemic, but there is certainly a very high-octane thriller sequence that I'm really proud of.

"It was incredibly challenging to film. One of the difficulties everyone is facing is the social distancing. Doing some of the stunt stuff was very difficult.

"We had to isolate the actors and put them in their own little seclusion bubble for two weeks, and then test them to make sure they were Covid-free.

"And only then were they able to come within the two-metre socially distanced rule we've applied.

"It was different to what we have been doing across the pandemic, but we felt it's the 60th anniversary so if we can't push the boat out and ask a bit more of ourselves, be a bit more demanding, then when can you."

Tagged in