ITV soap Coronation Street is said to have signed up eight of its stars on new contracts.
Show bosses have reportedly tied down an octet of cobbles stars for the foreseeable future, including Cherylee Houston (Izzy Armstrong) and Joe Duttine (Tim Metcalfe), and the whole cast are said to be excited about the ITV soap’s 60th anniversary in 2020.
Read more: Coronation Street’s Samia Longchambon hits back at fans calling Maria ‘stupid’
A source told the Daily Star newspaper: “The whole team at Corrie are really looking forward to its 60th anniversary year.
“It’s great to know the cast are all on board and keen to be a part of what is planned.
“We’ve a really talented group of actors working on the show and it’s always great when they commit to staying on the cobbles.”
Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw) and Peter Ash (Paul Foreman) are also said to have committed to Corrie since the autumn.
What’s more, there are said to be “big things” ahead for the Baileys in 2020.
It comes after Lorna Laidlaw, who plays Aggie Bailey on the ITV soap, recently admitted her Coronation Street wig has been a “godsend” because some of the soap’s autograph hunters haven’t recognised her when she is out of character.
The whole team at Corrie are really looking forward to its 60th anniversary year.
She told Inside Soap magazine: “The fans went mad when they realised that Mrs Tembe off Doctors is on Corrie now.
“Apparently it was trending – I don’t even know what that means. But I must say, the wig has been a godsend.
“I’ve just been stood at the back gate of Corrie and someone has gone up to one of the other actors to ask for an autograph, but didn’t ask me.”
![FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO - No Use Before 0001hrs Saturday 06/04/19 Coronation Street New Bailey Family Dad Edison Bailey (Trevor Michael Georges) Mum Aggie Bailey (Lorna Laidlaw) Older son Michael Bailey (Ryan Russell) Yellow Jacket Younger son James Bailey (Nathan Graham). Picture contact - David.crook@itv.com Photographer - Mark Bruce This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms](https://cdn.entertainmentdaily.com/2019/04/05213836/family-Bailey.jpg)
Despite being in Soapland for eight years while playing Mrs Tembe in the BBC daytime soap, Lorna found it “really scary” joining Coronation Street, and she had to keep reminding herself not to revert back to her African accent.
She said: “It was really scary, as Corrie is such a massive show compared to Doctors.
“It’s an institution. You walk on set and you can’t believe it – you’re in the Rovers.
“Then you’re in Ken Barlow’s house – it’s constant.
“Also I had to remind myself not to go into an African accent, which was my default after playing Mrs Tembe for eight years.”
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!