Coronation Street has seen a wave of stars announce they’re leaving the cobbles this year, and now its Head of Production is joining Channel 4’s Hollyoaks after a decade
A Coronation Street boss is leaving the ITV soap.
A series of high-profile Corrie castmates have announced they’re leaving the soap in recent weeks. The latest name is Max Turner star Paddy Bever, who is leaving the cobbles to explore other opportunities.
And now Lee Rayner, Head of Production on Coronation Street, is reportedly leaving after more than 10 years working on Weatherfield. It’s said the TV exec is joining rival soap Hollyoaks.
He has worked at ITV’s Corrie since 2011, serving as two years as an assistant director before becoming a production manager in 2013, and finally stepping up as Head of Production in 2021. Before that, he worked on shows including Death in Paradise, Doctors, and The Bill.
According to Broadcast, Lee will replace Colette Chard as Head of Production on Hollyoaks, who is moving on to a kid’s drama run by Hollyoaks’ production company, Lime Pictures.
In a statement, Lee said: “I am thrilled to be embarking on a new adventure at Lime Pictures as head of production for Hollyoaks and helping to deliver such an engaging high-end drama. I’m also very excited to reunite once again with the incredibly talented Hannah Cheers and really looking forward to getting to know and working with the production team, who have an industry-wide reputation as highly-skilled filmmakers.”
Managing director of Lime Pictures, John Whittle said: “Continuing drama is a fantastic genre to work in and its production model is crucial to its success. We are delighted that Lee is coming to us from a much-loved programme, as well-oiled as Coronation Street, at delivering ambitious drama with a tightly moving schedule.”
It comes just days after Corrie legends Sue Cleaver and Colson Smith confirmed their exits from the soap. Colson, who plays police officer Craig Tinker, revealed this week he is leaving the soap after 14 years.
STRICT EMBARGO – No Use Before Tuesday 29th August 2023
Coronation Street
THREE’S A CROWD FOR CORRIE’S MAX TURNER
EMBARGO – TUESDAY 29TH AUGUST
Troubled Max Turner is set to face more problems on Coronation Street this week as the two women in his life battle for his affections.
Ever since returning from the STC, Max has been trying to get his life back on track. Just as it looked like Max was getting settled back into normal life, he found himself caught up in a love triangle with Sabrina Adetiba and Lauren Bolton.
This week, Lauren gets between Max and Sabrina once more as she attempts to wind Sabrina up by making out that she and Max are an item. Max assures Sabrina that’s not the case but Sabrina is left unsettled.
In a fit of rage, Lauren leaves her friendship with Max in pieces by trashing the salon, ultimately leading to the police arresting her on suspicion of causing criminal damage. Could this be the wakeup call Lauren desperately needs?
Pictured -Max Turner [PADDY BEVER]
Picture contact – David.crook@itv.com
Photographer – Danielle Baguley
This photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
Last weekend, Sue (Eileen Grimshaw) announced she was leaving Corrie after a quarter of a century on the cobbles. Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) also departed Weatherfield earlier this week when his character was killed off, and it was recently reported that Sue Devaney’s alter-ego Debbie Webster is to be written out of the soap.
Charlotte Jordan, who has played barmaid Daisy Midgely since 2020, is reportedly leaving Weatherfield too. Corrie veteran Shelley King, who plays Yasmeen Nazir, has also reportedly left after 11 years.
Corrie boss Kate Brooke previously revealed there would be a “few exits” in 2025. She told The Sun: “There are a few exits this year, and some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves. People might not expect the exits, but there are a few.”
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