Coronation Street has been left in crisis as seven stars announced they're leaving the ITV soap this year - with three in the last three days alone.
And while bosses are keeping a tight lid on what has prompted all seven to up sticks and leave, there are whispers from the set that cast morale is at an all-time low, thanks to new management, poor pay deals and an increasingly gruelling schedule.
Ever since the soap took the decision to air six episodes a week instead of five, cast members are said to be close to burning out - with some insiders comparing the situation to the sinking of the Titanic.
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And once source revealed last night that vastly different rates of pay for veteran stars and newcomers are fuelling resentment within the cast.
Some of the long-running actors can pull in as much as £250,000 - but newbies can expect to earn a relatively low £50,000 a year, and their pay can be determined by the number of appearances they make in a year.
"The pay gaps have become an open secret and the newer names know they are working far longer hours for a fraction of the cash. It has sparked a lot of unhappiness," the source told the Sun .
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The most recent star to hand in her notice, Lucy Fallon, tweeted last night to stem the rumours, telling followers: "Just to clarify, my decision to leave was made in August last year and has nothing to do with ANYONE at Coronation Street . I didn't make it lightly and I am going to miss every single person there. Excited for my final year at the best place! Woo."
But she was careful not to mention the hours or pay in her statement.
"Lucy is just the latest to get fed up of seeing great opportunities go to waste because Corrie won't let her take them on," the source added.
"She won't be the last."
Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon becomes SEVENTH star to quit this year
Tristan Gemmill (who plays Robert Preston) and Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) both recently announced they were leaving to explore other options.
And Connie Hyde, who played Gina Seddon for two years, revealed she'd quit back in March.
Faye Brookes announced on Wednesday she was quitting after four years playing Kate Connor - but less than a month earlier she was insistent that she "wasn't going anywhere" and still had plenty to give her role.
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Bhavna Limbachia, who played Faye's on-screen lover Rana Habeeb, left the show in January, while Katie McGlynn quit despite saying Corrie is "like family".
Lucy made up the seventh castmate to leave last night.
Mirror Online has contacted Coronation Street for comment.
