A Brookside star is joining the cast of Corrie (Image: Channel 4)
A former star will be returning to the world of soaps as she joins the cast of ITV’s . While many stars are currently leaving the Cobbles, Suzanne Collins will reportedly be making an appearance in a guest role later this month.
The actress, who played Nikki Shadwick on , reportedly secretly filmed her scenes last November. She is set to play the role of a nursery worker where Abi Webster’s (Sally Carman-Duttine) young son Alfie attends.
Suzanne appeared on Channel 4’s Brookside from 1996 to 2003, and was embroiled in many memorable storylines. They included a date-rape, a stalking ordeal, as well as having to come to terms with her father and her sister being tragically killed.
Since leaving the Liverpool-based programme, Suzanne also had a short stint on Hollyoaks as she made a guest appearance.
The latest addition to the cast comes as a number of soap stars are leaving the ITV show. Some have been cut by bosses while others have decided to call it a day on their own terms.
Suzanne Collins will be joining Coronation Street (Image: Press Association)
Reportedly among those leaving are Craig Tinker actor Colson Smith, Sue Cleaver who plays Eileen Grimshaw, Luca Toolan who portrays Mason Radcliffe, Debbie Webster actress Sue Devaney and Shelley King who plays Yasmeen Metcalfe.
Financial strains are reportedly at the heart of the issue, with insiders citing a significant budget crunch as the reason behind the firings.
” is on its knees financially and bosses are being forced to make hard decisions” an insider disclosed, 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.
Don’t miss… [UPDATE] [UPDATE]
Coronation Street’s cast is having a bit of a shake up (Image: ITV)
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.”
They suggested that this period of change could lead to new opportunities, adding that “one door closes and another opens” for the show.
They continued: “Some familiar faces will be leaving, but others will be back – and the new faces could be just what the show needs. There’s so much ahead so the idea the end of is in sight is bonkers.”