Paranoia Street

These are difficult economic times, as we all know. Belts are being tightened left, right and centre, and job security is a thing of the past. Could this also be true for Coronation Street? We know that ITV have assured the future of the show, but, according to newspaper reports at the weekend, that hasn't stopped cast members from fearing for their future. The People quote Michael Le Vell (Kevin) as saying, "We are scared that we face getting axed with what's going on."

The People also says that producer Kim Crowther is getting angry at the amount of storylines that are being leaked to the press (it's not us, Kim, honest). She's apparently been scrutinising the mobile phone records of employees to find out if any of them are the infamous "moles" and "insiders" that the press love to quote. Script meetings have been moved to ITV's Manchester offices rather than hotels (though this could possibly be a cost saving exercise rather than anyone getting jumpy about leaks), and reports are that a bugging expert swept the room for listening devices. "The atmosphere is really bad now because everyone is worried about their jobs in this difficult climate," says an "outraged insider" (who is still leaking stories to the press despite these clampdowns, obviously). "Crowther hates any negative stories about the show coming out." And who can blame her?

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