Coronation Street star Rob Mallard has spoken about the cast's unexpected reaction to recent cuts to the soap.
Earlier this year, ITV announced that both Coronation Street and Emmerdale would reduce their weekly output in a permanent scheduling change, which will be implemented in January 2026.
These changes will see both programmes lose 30 minutes of screen time per week, shifting from a six-episode to a five-episode transmission pattern. They will air back-to-back in ITV's so-called "soap power hour".
After the news led to concerns over potential job losses, Mallard – who plays Daniel Osbourne on the cobbles – discussed the output cuts at the 2025 British Soap Awards last Saturday (31 May). He suggested that the changes could have a positive impact on future storylines.
"People who have been in the show for a long time said they thought it was going to be better, because they seem to remember it being like that at some point in the past, and I think in terms of the way we structure our episode," the actor told the Mail Online.
Related: Exclusive – Coronation Street's Rob Mallard reveals Daniel's next romance storyline
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"We won't have to have so many artificial cliffhangers, because there's no coming back for part two. It's all there in one, so it's going to make the storytelling a lot clearer."
In February, the Writers' Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) expressed concern over the cuts leading to fewer work opportunities for the union's members.
"We are seeking further clarity from ITV and talking to our affected members as a matter of urgency," the WGGB added, while also citing "the axing of BBC Doctors last year and the cancellation of Holby before that".
Kevin Lygo, ITV's Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, had previously acknowledged that the reduction in episodes would likely lead to cutbacks for the teams working on the soaps.
However, he added: "We will support our colleagues in ITV Studios as they work through these changes, and will do what we can to mitigate the impact on our people.
"These changes are motivated by doing what we believe is best for the continuing success of these important programmes in the long term.
"They also create headroom in the overall programme budget for investment in programming that can help ITV grow reach in a very very competitive market."
Related: British Soap Awards 2025 winners announced – here's who won the top prizes
Last month, ITV announced that it would usher in its new transmission pattern with a dramatic Coronation Street and Emmerdale crossover episode next January. The special edition promises "an ambitious stunt" that will have "everlasting consequences".
Speaking to Digital Spy at the 2025 British Soap Awards, Mallard shared plans for Daniel Osbourne to fall for someone new in a forthcoming romance storyline.
Coronation Street and Emmerdale missed out on the Best British Soap prize to EastEnders at last weekend's ceremony. Corrie picked up one statue on the night, with David Neilson (Roy Cropper) taking home the Outstanding Achievement Award.
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
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