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The Irish Sun

Emmerdale and Coronation Street facing major changes to cut costs, ex-soap boss warns

EMMERDALE could soon be filmed outside Yorkshire for the first time as part of a production merger with Coronation Street, according the one the ITV1 soap's former bosses. Peter Fincham, the channel's Director of Television before current boss Kevin Lygo, has revealed he believes that the soap could soon be moving to Manchester. Advertisement 10 Emmerdale could soon be filmed outside Yorkshire for the first time - pictured the Woolpack Credit: Rex 10 The soap could move as part of a production merger with Coronation Street Credit: PA He's predicted that the recent devastating cuts to daytime television, and the loss of hundreds of jobs, would lead to executives looking at similar measures with their two biggest soaps, which are made in locations just 50 miles apart. Talking on The TV Podcast, Peter said: 'You've got Coronation Street being made in Manchester, Emmerdale in Leeds. 'Big savings' 'Could you imagine, rather like the daytime consolidation, that ITV will decide to have them both made in the same place under one umbrella? Big savings. 'You still keep Emmerdale set in Yorkshire, but it could be made in Manchester and Salford, which is a bigger hub for ITV. I don't think that's inconceivable — it might be being planned as we speak.' Advertisement Read More on TV Merging the two shows in any way once seemed unthinkable, but recently ITV announced that it would air an episode next year where the soaps would have a joint storyline. The news came around the same time ITV announced a merger of production between Currently, Emmerdale is made just north of Leeds while Coronation Street is largely filmed at MediaCity in Salford, having previously been at the Granada Studios in Manchester for decades. Peter continued: 'The new hub for Coronation Street in Salford, it cost many, many millions of pounds and it was better facilities for all the people who worked on it in the old place in the middle of Manchester.' Advertisement Most read in TV Exclusive A spokesperson for ITV hit back at Peter's suggestion of a soap filming merge: 'ITV has no plans to merge the productions of Coronation Street and Emmerdale. 'Both are uniquely set in Manchester and Leeds, and that production model will continue for the long term. It's pure speculation to say otherwise.' ITV Daytime Shake-Up: Major Changes to Lorraine and Loose Women Revealed The reality star is set to come face to face with ex-boyfriend Advertisement 10 Ella Rae Wise was all smiles as she stepped out to film for The Only Way Is Essex in Portugal Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Sophie Kasaei looked cosy with boyfriend Jordan Brook Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Chloe Meadows sipped on a drink Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Roman Hackett and Sammy Root enjoy a ball game Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD Advertisement 10 Junaid Ahmed stepped out hand in hand with boyfriend Joe Blackman Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD While the last series saw Ella and Dan become 'official' ahead of her stint on Celebrity Big Brother, it was revealed in April the two had split 'amicably'. But that will be put to the test as the cast were seen gathering poolside in the Algarve. Joining Ella were Roman Hackett and Sammy Root who enjoyed a ball game, as Chloe Meadows sipped on a drink. Advertisement Sophie Kasaei looked cosy with boyfriend Jordan Brook while Junaid Ahmed stepped out hand in hand with boyfriend Joe Blackman. Others including Elma Pazar, Harry Derbridge, Amber Turner, Dani Imbert and Amy Childs are also on the trip. SHERI'S DRAMA A SAFE BET A first look at the new series, which will air on BBC One and iPlayer, sees the duo as the show's Matty and Leanne, dressed for their job at a gambling mecca in Liverpool. Advertisement 10 Michael Socha and Sheridan Smith After discovering that they have both been robbing from the business, the pair are on a terrifying collision course. For the five-parter, the actors will be joined by House Of The Dragon's Barry Sloane, Dope Girls' Geraldine James, Extraordinary's Shaun Mason and The Power Of Parker star Louis Emerick in the high-stakes, high-energy series. DEATH Valley is set to return for a second series. Advertisement The BBC murder mystery comedy drama, which stars The first series is currently airing on BBC One on Sunday evenings. RICHARD: MY PAST SO RACY BEING a man of the cloth doesn't mean that Reverend Richard Coles has forgotten all about his rock 'n' roll past in the Eighties. If anything, the I'm A Celebrity star is still haunted by the bad decisions from his youth as a member of band The Communards. Advertisement 10 Rev Richard Coles is still haunted by the bad decisions from his youth as a member of band The Communards Credit: Rex Richard told Rylan on his How To Be In Love podcast: 'After the band reached its highest point, and we were taking a break, that was when sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll came together for me, and I went to Ibiza. 'There was one summer I went with a bunch of people, and we l took ecstasy, and acid, everything really, and got barred from Avis car rental for life because we got through a lot of vehicles. 'Then I bought a speed boat, and I don't know where it is, but I did buy a speed boat.' Advertisement RACE TO FINALE HOTS UP THE contestants have now been whittled down to four pairs for the the tense finale of Now 10 Race Across The World finalists: Melvyn and Brian, Caroline and Tom, Elizabeth and Letitia and Fin and Sioned But just because things are hotting up, and requiring more physical energy than ever, it doesn't mean the show's oldest ever contestants, brothers Melvyn and Brian, are going to struggle. Advertisement Melvyn joked: 'I'm 66 but that doesn't mean I can't do a parachute jump or a bungee jump! 'The wife wouldn't be happy, but that doesn't mean I can't do it – don't think you're too old to do stuff. I'm proud of what we have done.' Brian added: 'We knew going into the race it would be tough and we would probably be out of our comfort zone. 'But, it's no surprise to me, I always knew that we could do it.' Advertisement