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The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Emmerdale signs major rival soap star for huge new villain role – and it's bad news for Moira Dingle
EMMERDALE has signed up a star of a rival soap for an explosive new storyline - and it'll be bad news for Moira Dingle. The ITV soap has snapped up esteemed actress Jaye Griffiths who has had major roles in Casualty, The Bill, Silent Witness and Doctors. 2 Jaye Griffiths is joining Emmerdale as the formidable Celia Credit: ITV 2 The actress has had a long and distinguished career but will now play a soap villain Credit: ITV And she's going to be playing a new villainous character who could prove problematic for farmer Moira Dingle. Viewers know Moira is in serious trouble and facing massive fines for her farm contaminating the water supply. And while it was John Sugden who framed Mackenzie Boyd for the crime , Moira's facing losing her beloved farm. So when a neighbouring farmer makes herself known, Moira's facing a huge crisis. Read more on Emmerdale Newcomer Ceilia calls to enquire if she can rent two of her fields, Moira is quick to shrug her off, but she clearly means business . Celia's reputation precedes her as Moira isn't keen to deal with this woman, despite bad finances on her own farm. And soon when poor vet Paddy is brutally attacked and hospitalised by one of Celia's guard dogs we start to get the measure of her true colours from her reaction to the attack. Producer Laura Shaw explains: 'We are absolutely delighted to have Most read in Soaps 'Having recently taken over a nearby farm, not much is known about mysterious Celia's past before arriving on the outskirts of the village. 'While Celia has a tough edge with an air of respectability, the audience, and our villagers, will soon start to see what this woman is truly capable of.' Emmerdale rules out return for major star in brutal storyline Jaye explains: 'I was delighted to get this role - without giving the game away she is very different to anyone I have played before and I can't wait to really get into the heart of her storyline.' Celia is renting a neighbouring farm in Emmerdale from Kim Tate, but with the Bartons and Sugdens as farming families already well established within the community there is definitely conflict on its way. Jaye is known for her previous roles in The Bill, Casualty and Doctors.
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Coronation Street and Emmerdale boss QUITS after 30 years as ITV soaps set for huge shake-up after cash crisis
CORONATION Street and Emmerdale boss John Whiston has quit ITV after nearly 30 years. The channel veteran has overseen epic live episodes and helped shape storylines that have pulled in millions of viewers. 2 A Corrie and Emmerdale chief has stepped down at ITV 2 John's influence is all over the cobbles Credit: X In a statement, Whiston said: 'I've always said I've got the best job in TV. I used to say it privately in case ITV stopped paying me. "It has been nothing short of an honour, as well as a blast, to work on the Soaps this last decade or so. We've had joy, we've had fun and we've had seasons in the Sun. "We've also had misery and mayhem. We've had motorway crashes, tram crashes and floods. We've had stories which have squeezed your heart till tears came out of your eyes. "And we've covered pretty much anything and everything that people have to face in their own lives and we've done that with care and humanity. READ MORE ON CORRIE "And all that is down to the 600 or so people - the writers, crew, cast and editorial – who have kept the show on air and at an incredible quality day in day out. And it's them who have made my job ridiculously easy. Just don't tell ITV." Replacing him will be Iain MacLeod as Creative Director and Matt Cleary as Chief Operating Officer. John continued: "With fantastic stories in place for the move to five episodes a week next January, and a never-before-seen mega mash-up between the two shows, the future for our ITV Soaps is set fair. "So it's the right time to leave and for me just to say thank you… to colleagues, to ITV and to our loyal, appreciative audience.' Most read in Soaps Tributes for the highly-respected TV man came from the very top of the station. Kevin Lygo, Managing Director, Media and Entertainment said: "John has been a stalwart of ITV, the North, and the soaps for a very long time. His fingerprints are all over Coronation Street and Emmerdale and they are all the better for it. Corrie character quits Weatherifled as he makes major decision after shock accusation "Every twist and turn of the plotlines have had input from John and he will be sorely missed by all that have worked with him. ITV and I have been very fortunate to work with such a wonderful man. We wish him well in the next episode of his life.' Whiston began his career at the BBC and earlier in his career helped BBC2 rival BBC1 for viewing figures after introducing theme nights. He also launched hugely successful shows like Vic & Bob's Shooting Stars and Lee & Herring's Fist of Fun. A move to Manchester saw him commission and produce iconic shows that are still much-loved to this day. Among them was Red Dwarf, The Mrs Merton Show and The Royle Family. He switched to rival ITV in 1999 as Director of Programmes at Yorkshire TV, immediately making an impact on the likes of Emmerdale, Heartbeat and A Touch of Frost. His stellar eye for a good drama showed no sign of abating with At Home with the Braithwaites, Fat Friends and Lost For Words among his successes. Whiston followed this by taking over ITV's drama stable including programmes like Poirot, Marple, Prime Suspect, Vera, Lewis, the Oscar-winning feature film, The Queen and Coronation Street. He was promoted to Director of ITV Productions in 2005, a role he held for five years before finishing as Managing Director of Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North.
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Coronation Street and Emmerdale boss QUITS after 30 years as ITV soaps set for huge shake-up after cash crisis
CORONATION Street and Emmerdale boss John Whiston has quit ITV after nearly 30 years. The channel veteran has overseen epic live episodes and helped shape storylines that have pulled in millions of viewers. 2 A Corrie and Emmerdale chief has stepped down at ITV 2 John's influence is all over the cobbles Credit: X In a statement, Whiston said: 'I've always said I've got the best job in TV. I used to say it privately in case ITV stopped paying me. "It has been nothing short of an honour, as well as a blast, to work on the Soaps this last decade or so. We've had joy, we've had fun and we've had seasons in the Sun. "We've also had misery and mayhem. We've had motorway crashes, tram crashes and floods. We've had stories which have squeezed your heart till tears came out of your eyes. "And we've covered pretty much anything and everything that people have to face in their own lives and we've done that with care and humanity. "And all that is down to the 600 or so people - the writers, crew, cast and editorial – who have kept the show on air and at an incredible quality day in day out. And it's them who have made my job ridiculously easy. Just don't tell ITV." Replacing him will be Iain MacLeod as Creative Director and Matt Cleary as Chief Operating Officer. John continued: "With fantastic stories in place for the move to five episodes a week next January, and a never-before-seen mega mash-up between the two shows, the future for our ITV Soaps is set fair. "So it's the right time to leave and for me just to say thank you… to colleagues, to ITV and to our loyal, appreciative audience.' Tributes for the highly-respected TV man came from the very top of the station. Kevin Lygo, Managing Director, Media and Entertainment said: "John has been a stalwart of ITV, the North, and the soaps for a very long time. His fingerprints are all over Coronation Street and Emmerdale and they are all the better for it. Corrie character quits Weatherifled as he makes major decision after shock accusation "Every twist and turn of the plotlines have had input from John and he will be sorely missed by all that have worked with him. ITV and I have been very fortunate to work with such a wonderful man. We wish him well in the next episode of his life.' Whiston began his career at the BBC and earlier in his career helped BBC2 rival BBC1 for viewing figures after introducing theme nights. He also launched hugely successful shows like Vic & Bob's Shooting Stars and Lee & Herring's Fist of Fun. A move to Manchester saw him commission and produce iconic shows that are still much-loved to this day. Among them was Red Dwarf, The Mrs Merton Show and The Royle Family. He switched to rival ITV in 1999 as Director of Programmes at Yorkshire TV, immediately making an impact on the likes of Emmerdale, Heartbeat and A Touch of Frost. His stellar eye for a good drama showed no sign of abating with At Home with the Braithwaites, Fat Friends and Lost For Words among his successes. Whiston followed this by taking over ITV's drama stable including programmes like Poirot, Marple, Prime Suspect, Vera, Lewis, the Oscar-winning feature film, The Queen and Coronation Street. He was promoted to Director of ITV Productions in 2005, a role he held for five years before finishing as Managing Director of Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North.
Metro
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
ITV legend known for Coronation Street and Emmerdale role retires after 27 years
ITV have announced the retirement of John Whiston – the man in charge of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale, and the broadcaster's operations in the North. Whiston has worked for the company for the last 27 years, though has worked in television as a whole for four decades. 'I've always said I've got the best job in TV. I used to say it privately in case ITV stopped paying me' he said in a statement released this morning. 'It has been nothing short of an honour, as well as a blast, to work on the Soaps this last decade or so. 'We've had joy, we've had fun and we've had seasons in the Sun. We've also had misery and mayhem. We've had motorway crashes, tram crashes and floods. We've had stories which have squeezed your heart till tears came out of your eyes. 'And we've covered pretty much anything and everything that people have to face in their own lives and we've done that with care and humanity.' He continued: 'All that is down to the 600 or so people – the writers, crew, cast and editorial – who have kept the show on air and at an incredible quality day in day out. 'And it's them who have made my job ridiculously easy. Just don't tell ITV.' His career kicked off at the BBC, where he was a General Trainee. After a successful run on shows such as Time Watch and Omnibus, he then worked with Bob Mortimer and Vic Reeves to nurture comedy panel show Shooting Stars and sky-rocketed BBC2's viewing figures with the launch of theme nights. John was also responsible for commissioning and executive producing Red Dwarf, The Mrs Merton Show, The Royle Family and reviving University Challenge. He moved to Yorkshire Television in 1999 as Director of Programmes. This meant he was responsible for soaps Emmerdale and Heartbeat, while also focussing on Fat Friends and A Touch of Frost. Eventually, his work also included Coronation Street, which saw him take on the role of Managing Director of Continuing Dramas and Head of ITV in the North in 2010. Storylines during his stint have included live episodes – such as the aftermath of the 50th anniversary tram crash and Emmerdale's motorway pile up, plus a number of issue-based plots. The boss will step down from his role at the end of the month, with a familiar name stepping into his shoes. Coronation Street's Executive Producer Iain MacLeod has been promoted to Creative Director and will take on all of the editorial responsibility for the soaps. Sharing the role with him is Matt Cleary, who will be Chief Operating Officer for Continuing Drama. He will be responsible for the day to day running of both production sites in Trafford and Leeds. In his statement, John also referenced the upcoming reduction of episodes and crossover episode that will air in January. 'With the appointment of Iain MacLeod and Matt Cleary and with fantastic stories in place for the move to five episodes a week next January, and a never-before-seen mega mash-up between the two shows, the future for our ITV Soaps is set fair' he said. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! 'So it's the right time to leave and for me just to say thank you… to colleagues, to ITV and to our loyal, appreciative audience.' Julian Bellamy, Managing Director ITV Studios added: 'John has been a brilliant, inspirational leader at ITV for over 27 years. He's pretty much done it all and done it brilliantly. 'His wisdom, creativity and razor-sharp editorial judgement has powered the soaps success. Alongside many others at ITV, I will miss John hugely and wish him the very best for the future.' More Trending Kevin Lygo, Managing Director, Media and Entertainment said: 'John has been a stalwart of ITV, the North, and the soaps for a very long time. 'His fingerprints are all over Coronation Street and Emmerdale and they are all the better for it. 'Every twist and turn of the plotlines have had input from John and he will be sorely missed by all that have worked with him. View More » He continued: 'ITV and I have been very fortunate to work with such a wonderful man. We wish him well in the next episode of his life.' If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: 10 character interactions that need to happen in Coronation Street and Emmerdale crossover MORE: Richard Madeley admits what 'saved his 39-year marriage' to Judy Finnigan MORE: Jeff Brazier reveals dream to reboot his failed 00s gameshow from 19 years ago
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV soap stalwart quits after almost 30 years: 'It's the right time to leave'
ITV has announced that its Managing Director of Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North, John Whiston, is retiring after 27 years in the company. The executive's role was to oversee Coronation Street and Emmerdale, having spent over 40 years in the television industry. In a statement, John said that the role is "the best job in TV", adding: "I used to say it privately in case ITV stopped paying me. It has been nothing short of an honour, as well as a blast, to work on the Soaps this last decade or so. We've had joy, we've had fun and we've had seasons in the Sun. We've also had misery and mayhem. "We've had motorway crashes, tram crashes and floods. We've had stories which have squeezed your heart till tears came out of your eyes. And we've covered pretty much anything and everything that people have to face in their own lives and we've done that with care and humanity. "And all that is down to the 600 or so people - the writers, crew, cast and editorial – who have kept the show on air and at an incredible quality day in day out. And it's them who have made my job ridiculously easy. Just don't tell ITV." He went onto say that Iain MacLeod and Matt Cleary will be taking over after his exit. "With the appointment of Iain MacLeod as Creative Director and Matt Cleary as Chief Operating Officer and with fantastic stories in place for the move to five episodes a week next January, and a never-before-seen mega mash-up between the two shows, the future for our ITV Soaps is set fair. "So it's the right time to leave and for me just to say thank you… to colleagues, to ITV and to our loyal, appreciative audience." It comes after the ITV soaps announced big changes over the last few months - including an upcoming Corrie and Emmerdale cross-over special and a move to slash episodes next year.
