Andy Whyment, who has played Kirk Sutherland on Coronation Street for over 20 years, has spoken out against claims of a cast revolt on the ITV soap amid a lot of changes
Andy Whyment, the actor behind Coronation Street’s beloved Kirk Sutherland, has quashed rumours of unrest among the cast.
Taking to Instagram, he addressed the speculation head-on with a picture of the show’s logo. He said: “There is a story about @coronationstreet 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.”
He continued, urging fans to keep level-headed: “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.” The post quickly garnered support from over 5,700 fans within an hour, echoing Andy’s call to dismiss the unfounded claims.
His co-star Jane Hazlegrove, known for her portrayal of Bernie Winter, jumped in with a supportive comment: “Well b**ody said! Brilliant bunch of kind clever creatives both in front of the camera and behind! Away with the negativity! ” to which Andy responded affirmatively: “So true!”
He quickly shut down speculation about the show (
Image:
ITV)
Jane Danson, who plays Leanne Battersby and has been at the centre of a major plot involving a cult named The Institute, also weighed in: “Amen to that,” she commented, adding a love heart emoji for emphasis, reports the Express. In a heartfelt conclusion, she expressed solidarity with her co-stars: “Also we are a cast and crew who care and respect each other deeply – through good times and bad. Through life and work. We are family xx.”
Vicky Myers, known on-screen as DSI Swain and for her affair with Carla Connor (Alison King), has thrown her support behind the sentiment, saying: “Absolutely! ! Well said Andy. xx” The buzz about a cast rebellion started after news broke of a shake-up at Coronation Street, with several well-known actors set to exit amidst a slump in viewership.
Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe), Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), Colson Smith (Craig Tinker), and Charlotte Jordan (Daisy Midgeley) are all scheduled to leave in 2025. Lucy Fallon (Bethany Platt) and Maureen Lipman (Evelyn Plummer) are also taking breaks from the show, though their departures are expected to be temporary, with returns on the cards.
Lipman joked with The Sun about taking a “gap year,” stating: “I’ll be absent for a while and then coming back. I’m not going to die, but then I’ll be in and out of it because I want to have a bit of a life.” This news follows the bombshell announcement by Helen Worth that she’s departing her role as Gail Platt after an incredible 50 years.
In another plot twist, Sue Devaney, who portrays Kevin’s sister Debbie Webster, is gearing up for a poignant dementia storyline this year, which might also lead to her character’s exit. Some fans have voiced dissatisfaction with recent “dark and gloomy” storylines, contributing to a dip in ratings, yet the soap maintains a strong fanbase of millions.
