Coronation Street crisis deepens as ratings slump to new low & soap battles to survive amid staff revolt

CORONATION Street ratings have plunged to a new low.

The soap is battling for survival amid ITV’s cash crisis and a revolt from cast over working conditions and pay.

Thursday’s 9pm to 10pm episode was watched by 2.5million people — just ten per cent of the 27million who watched Hilda Ogden’s farewell in its 1987 heyday.

The episode was moved from its usual Friday slot and time so ITV could show the FA Cup clash between Aston Villa and West Ham.

As a result, Corrie was pitted against BBC’s reality gameshow hit The Traitors which pulled in five million.

Corrie’s low ratings meant it lost its most-watched soap crown to Emmerdale with 3.5million, while BBC’s EastEnders pulled in 2.8million.

It also meant the Street fell out of the top 10 most-watched shows of the day — which last happened on Christmas Day, which saw Helen Worth’s goodbye after 50 years playing Gail Platt.

Five stars — Charlotte Jordan, Sue Cleaver, Sue Devaney, Colson Smith and Luca Toolan — have announced they are leaving or being written out since November.

The Sun told this week that actors have vented their fury on a WhatsApp group over fears they could be next to be cut.

A source said: “Coronation Street used to be the jewel in ITV’s crown. Now there’s a despondency among actors.”

Episodes have been available to stream on ITVX from 7am since October.

A Corrie spokesperson hit back: “Thursday night at 9pm is not our usual transmission pattern.

“It also does not take into account ITVX viewers.

“Monday’s knife-crime episode peaked at 3.9million which, when consolidated, will be in keeping with 2024’s average of 4.4million, making it the most-watched soap on TV.”