Cold Feet creator Mike Bullen says the comedy drama is taking a break – amid a row over stars’ pay.
Fay Ripley, 53, says wages still vary between her and co-stars Hermione Norris, 52, James Nesbitt, 54, Robert Bathurst, 62, and John Thomson, 50.
The actress, who plays Jenny Gifford in the series, raised the issue a year ago and said recently: “It’s a really tricky one because it’s not like other jobs.
“Pay is measured on very odd things that are to do with ‘bankability’. It’s not a case of the boys being paid more than the girls, as a whole unit, but we are not all paid the same.”
Writer Mike, 59, said: “I want to take a break. We are going to rest the series.
“We’re not doing one next year. We need to give the characters some space to move on to new stages so that we’ve got stuff to write about.
“We’re talking about doing a one-off special to tide us over.”
Cold Feet’s 2016 comeback after a 13-year break exceeded viewing figure expectations.
James Nesbitt is keen to carry on, saying: “I will keep doing Cold Feet as long as they keep asking me. As long as people are still interested, and there are stories to be told, they can ask me for ever.”
Series nine of the show about three couples and their enduring friendship begins on ITV at 9pm tomorrow night.
