Corrie’s Andrew Whyment admits to ‘tough week’ for soap’s cast following rewrites

Several cast members are in self-isolation

Andrew Whyment

by William Marriott |
Updated on

Following both ITV and the BBC's announcement that soaps on each channel will reduce to just two episodes a week in order to get through the COVID-19 outbreak, cast members are now starting to speak out about the impact it is having on their schedules.

And the latest to voice how 'tough' filming has been is Coronation Street's Andrew Whyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland in the soap.

The actor, who came second in I'm A Celebrity 2019, took to Instagram to post a photo of himself with his wife drinking a beer after a stressful week at work.

He wrote, "So ready for a drink tonight been a tough week at work with rewrites and changes with some cast members having to self isolate.

"I just want to say I’m so proud of everyone @coronationstreet the way people have mucked in this week has been incredible and shows how much love there is for the show.

"It’s a mad situation we all find ourselves in but we’ll get through this, stay safe everyone ❤️❤️❤️."

CHECK OUT: Coronation Street spoilers Monday 23rd - Friday 27th March

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Gemma has a terrible dream where she hurts Aled, rushing downstairs in a panic she's relieved to find Chesney feeding Aled but deeply unnerved to think she might harm one of her babies.

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When her health visitor later tells Gemma that Lilo has lost weight and she needs to increase her formula milk, Gemma's further shaken. The health visitor quizzes Gemma about her state of mind but Gemma insists she's fine.

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As Julie leaves, Gemma fights back the tears. The babies' crying escalates as she heads out to the yard to calm herself down but as the door closes behind her Gemma realises with horror she's locked out.

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As the babies continue to cry, a panic stricken Gemma tries to break the door down. Arriving with Mother's Day balloons, Bernie's shocked to find Gemma in such a distressed state.

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Having forced the door, Bernie assures her they're all fine but Gemma dissolves into floods of tears, branding herself an unfit mum. Gemma admits that she's exhausted but too afraid to sleep.

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Bernie insists she'll move in to lend a hand but on condition Gemma sees a doctor. Gemma agrees but makes Bernie promise not to tell Chesney.

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However, Gemma tries to wriggle out of seeing the doctor with Bernie then threatening to tell Chesney everything. Bernie explains to Dr Gaddas that Gemma's not sleeping and that's only the tip of the iceberg.

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Gemma plays down her depression and assures Dr Gaddas she's just overly tired. Bernie's frustrated by her daughter's refusal to accept help, berating Gemma for failing to tell the doctor that she's suffering from postnatal depression. Chesney wants to know what they're rowing about, will Bernie reveal the truth?

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Meanwhile, David visits Clayton in prison and implores him to leave Shona alone but clearly enjoying David's misery, Clayton assures him that's not going to happen.

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David tells Nick and Gail how Clayton has been dripping poison into Shona's ear. Nick attempts to go and talk to Shona but she refuses to see him, her key worker asking him to pass a message to David.

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Finding a dejected Alina in Victoria Garden, David sits down and offers her a beer. Alina takes it and it's clear there's a spark between them.

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Before she can stop him, David texts Nick claiming Alina's ill and needs the rest of the day off. Emma confides in Seb that she's concerned about Alina who seems to be avoiding them.

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In the Rovers, David and Seb row. When David accuses him of being jealous over Alina, Seb sees red and punches David. Emma's horrified.

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Upset, Emma tells Seb that it's clear he still has feelings for Alina and he needs to find somewhere else to stay. Nick urges David not to give up on his marriage. David breaks down in tears.

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Elsewhere, making out that something terrible has happened, Ryan drags Yasmeen to their flat where Alya introduces her to a police woman who has information about Geoff. But Yasmeen refuses to listen and rushes out. Alya later finds Yasmeen and handing her the police officer's card, begs her to give her a call and find out the truth about Geoff.

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Unbeknown to them, Geoff surreptitiously makes another appointment with Rachel the escort. A despondent Alya reveals to Ryan that Zeedan is getting married but he's not inviting the family. Ryan reckons this could be their opportunity to get Yasmeen away from Geoff and urges Alya to call Zeedan back and tell him they're coming whether he likes it or not.

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Alya and Ryan tell Yasmeen that Zeedan is getting married in Spain and has invited them to the wedding. When Geoff asserts they can't abandon the restaurant, Alya explains he's not on the guest list. Having summoned Alya to No.6, Geoff takes great pleasure in announcing that he too will be attending the wedding and has booked a hotel. Alya's seething.

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On the other side of the street, Evelyn puts a brave face on after being stood up, while Tyrone gives Arthur a piece of his mind, telling him to stay away from Evelyn in future as she's not interested. Arthur's crushed.

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Arthur later tells Evelyn how sorry he is for letting her down and begs her to give him another chance. She agrees to think about it before tearing a strip off Tyrone for interfering, admitting she's considering his offer of another date.

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Over in the residential home, Norris reluctantly agrees to join Ken for the Stillwaters' art class, but they then sneak out to the Rovers for a treat. But when Ken hears that Eccles will be home alone for the night, he's concerned and forms a plan to take Eccles back to Stillwaters.

Georgia Taylor, who plays Toyah Battersby, commented beneath the post, "Everyone has been incredible haven’t they?

"I was saying to Mark tonight how I feel so lucky to work with such an outstanding team. And all done with such good grace and humour xxx."

Coronation Street bosses revealed plans to only air two episodes per week earlier this week, in attempt to make sure they have enough content to output amid uncertainty around coronavirus.

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It has been reported pre-recorded episodes could potentially last until July. However, as an ITV representative told The Sun, “In the coming weeks some episodes of Coronation Street and Emmerdale will understandably be out of kilter due to the temporary transmission pattern for both programmes, which takes effect from Monday 30 March.

“Episodes due to broadcast at Easter and those commissioned and filmed to commemorate VE Day, for instance, won’t now air on the dates we’d anticipated.

"We’d hope the audience will understand the reasons for this and continue to enjoy the shows.”

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