The ITV soap Coronation Street continues to be in the spotlight due to a spate of recent dismissals and crew members heading to rival channels.

13:38, Tue, Jan 21, 2025 | UPDATED: 13:40, Tue, Jan 21, 2025

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Several cast members have recently left Coronation Street, but it has been reported that another fan favorite is 'next to be axed' in the latest development.

According to MailOnline, the ITV soap's talent agent, Melanie Blake, has seemingly suggested that Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon) is on her way to becoming the next cast member to depart.

An inside source said to MailOnline: "Samia is one of the most popular members of the Corrie cast, she is absolutely adored. To suggest that she should be axed and lose her job is just disgusting.'

"Corrie has always been a nice place to work but Melanie's words have prompted much anger within. [...] So many people are worried about their futures at Corrie. We need to stick together, not have our agents going at others."

Express Online have reached out to ITV for comment.

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Samia Longchambon plays the role of Maria Connor (Image: Getty)

According to The Sun, financial strains are reportedly at the heart of the issue, with insiders citing a significant budget crunch as the reason behind the exits.

Already, Charlotte Jordan, Shelley King, Sue Cleaver, Helen Worth, Debbie Webster, and Luca Toolan have departed the show or are confirmed to be leaving later this year.

What's more, their Head of Production is also set to leave the Cobbles for rival show, Hollyoaks.

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"Corrie is on its knees financially, and bosses are being forced to make hard decisions," an insider disclosed to The Sun, pointing to skyrocketing TV production costs and a dwindling advertising market.

"The cast are not happy, but ITV have no choice but to slash costs," added the source.

However, despite the current concerns, another insider assured The Mirror of promising prospects for the beloved soap, stating, "Fans can ignore any idea that within a decade the soap will be gone, because it's in no way on the brink of collapse."