‘It’s amazing!’ EastEnders legend wades in to fight for Coronation Street against ‘crisis’ claims
EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick has defended rival soap EastEnders amid claims that the show is undergoing a cost-cutting crisis.
News of cast departing the ITV soap has dominated headlines in recent weeks, with a number of actors confirming that they’re bowing out.
Metro exclusively revealed that Sue Devaney had been axed as Debbie Webster, with her final story – a dementia diagnosis – playing out into next year.
That was followed by the announcement that Craig Tinker, played by actor Colson Smith had also been let go, whilst actresses Sue Cleaver, Charlotte Jordan and Shelley King decided not to renew their contracts.
This week, we learnt that Paddy Bever is set to exit as Max Turner after three years.
There’s no denying that the television landscape is changing – but a soap insider revealed this week that there is no ‘crisis’, and described the claims as a ‘false narrative.’
Now, EastEnders and Strictly favourite Jamie, who has appeared as Jay Brown since 2006, has weighed in on the situation.
‘I feel like with the soaps, they all have peaks and troughs’ he commented.
‘They all have moments of up, moments of down. You’re going to get that with longevity. But that’s one thing that they have is longevity.
‘How long has Corrie been on? 62 years I think.
‘And they’re amazing shows and they’re in the fabric of the country.’
He continued to The Sun: ‘I feel like they always will have a place there.
‘But as I say, peaks and troughs. We’re on a good run and have been for a while. I’m sure we’ll go back round the other way and that’s just how it goes with longevity.
‘It’s one thing that they have over many other genres that have been going forever.
‘Listen, Corrie’s an amazing show, it’s brilliant and the people on it are great.’
Jamie’s comments come after Andrew Whyment, who has played Kirk Sutherland for 25 years, made a statement on social media.
Taking to Instagram, the actor wrote: ‘There is a story about Coronation Street in the press nearly every day at the moment.
‘I’d just like to say that the show is not on its knees and there is most certainly not a cast revolt as one article has said.
‘Please don’t believe everything you read, I for at least one cast member am extremely happy and feel very grateful to still be working on Coronation Street,’ he added.
His co-stars past and present were quick to rush to the comments, with Sue Cleaver writing: ‘Corrie will always be my family!’
‘Well said darling, me too proud to be part of the Corrie team,’ Claire Sweeney, who plays Cassie Plummer said.
‘We really do have the best job with the best people don’t we bud. Still pinch myself,’ Abi Webster actress Sally Carman penned, while DS Lisa Swain star Vicky Myers added: ‘Absolutely!! Well said Andy.’
