EXCLUSIVE: Former Corrie star Charlie Condou believes the soap must focus on engaging younger audiences to remain relevant.
EXCLUSIVE: Former Coronation Street star Charlie Condou believes the soap must find new ways to attract younger viewers to stay relevant.
The actor—who portrayed Marcus Dent from 2007–2008 and again from 2011–2014—suggests that encouraging family viewing could help draw in younger audiences.
His comments come as the ITV soap is reportedly set to see four characters exit next week.
Speaking at the Attitude 101 Lunch at London’s Rosewood Hotel, Charlie said: “I haven’t watched Corrie or Emmerdale in years.
“I know they’ve been struggling with viewing figures, but the way people watch television has changed.
“Younger audiences prefer streaming platforms or YouTube rather than traditional TV.
“My teenage kids never watch terrestrial television. That’s what needs to be addressed—how do they engage a new generation of viewers? That’s the challenge.
“The older soap audience won’t be around forever. Soaps need to keep evolving.
“When I was younger, I’d watch them with my parents because that was the norm. We had just four TV channels, but now content is available everywhere.
“Maybe finding ways for families to watch together again could help bring in younger viewers.”
Meanwhile, Corrie fans could be in for a shock as David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd), Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan), Max Turner (Paddy Bever), and Yasmeen Metcalfe (Shelley King) may all be written out next week.
Shelley King, who has played Yasmeen for a decade, requested to leave earlier this year and filmed her final scenes in December.
Her departure marks the sixth exit in just two months, following a wave of cast members either quitting or being written out.
Coronation Street—which once attracted 27 million viewers for Hilda Ogden’s farewell in 1987—drew just 2.5 million for last Thursday’s episode.
The show has also faced backlash over alleged budget cuts, concerns over working conditions, and low salaries, sparking discontent among the cast.
Since November, Charlotte Jordan, Sue Cleaver, Sue Devaney, Colson Smith, and Luca Toolan have all confirmed their departures.
Additionally, reports suggest some cast members have been venting their frustrations in a WhatsApp group, fearing they may be next.
However, Condou doesn’t think the current challenges will mark the end of soaps.
He said: “Especially Corrie, which is so beloved. I believe it still has a lot of life left. I hope so.
“I’m part of the Coronation Street family. I left quite a while ago, but it will always hold a special place in my heart. I’m proud to have been a part of that show. I hope it continues for many more years.”
Condou made these remarks while attending the Attitude 101 Lunch, presented by Bentley, which celebrated 100 LGBTQ+ industry leaders and the ‘Trailblazer of the Year’.
Marcus, who is set to star in a major upcoming Disney drama (details still under wraps), also spoke about the progress for queer actors in television. He noted, “A lot of people are really working hard to address the balance.”
He specifically praised figures like Russell T Davies for their exceptional work in supporting the queer community.
When asked about the most inspiring gay personalities on TV, Marcus mentioned Alan Carr and Rylan Clark, who he admires for being “unapologetically themselves.” He added, “These people really stand firm in who they are without making apologies. That’s why I respect people like Alan Carr, Rylan, and Russell Tovey—people who have been true to themselves for a long time and are uncompromising in living authentically. It’s incredibly inspiring.”
Marcus also revealed that he’s had some wild nights out with all of them.
ATTITUDE 101 AWARDS
Each category at the Attitude 101 Awards highlights 10 outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and achievement in their respective fields. For more details, visit www.attitude.co.uk.
‘TRAILBLAZER OF THE YEAR’
• Nava Mau – Actress and filmmaker
Nava Mau, who was Emmy-nominated for her role in Baby Reindeer and recognized by BAFTA as one of this year’s Breakthrough Award nominees, is also an accomplished writer and director. Her work includes the acclaimed documentary Disclosure.
FILM, TV & MUSIC
• Olly Alexander – Actor and singer
• Amrou Al-Kadhi – Drag artist, writer, and director
• Jade Anouka – Actor
• Colman Domingo – Actor
• Phil Dunning – Writer, actor, and comedian
• Cynthia Erivo – Singer and actor
• JASMINE.4.T – Musician
• Cooper Koch – Actor
• Mikko Mäkelä – Director
• Jason Patel – Actor and singer
BUSINESS
• Roja Dove – Founder, Roja London
• Stephen Brown – Commercial specialist, US Commercial Service at the US Embassy
• Bruna Gil – Head of partnerships, EMEA, LinkedIn
• Chris Glass – Global director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Soho House
• Jamie Love – Founder, Monumental Marketing
• Santino Pietrosanti – Director, Jaguar UK
• Angelica Ross – Founder & CEO, TransTech Social Enterprises
• Lexie Shaibu-Lenoir – Founder, Queer Weddings
• Chris Sherwood – CEO, NSPCC
• Dani Wallace – Founder, I Am The Queen Bee
FASHION, ART & DESIGN
• Joseph Sissens – Principal dancer, The Royal Ballet
• Alex Consani – Model
• Adam Johnson – Ceramicist
• Daniel Lismore – Living sculpture and painter
• Seán McGirr – Creative director, Alexander McQueen
• Zanele Muholi – Photographer and LGBTQ+ activist
• Munya – Model
• Sinéad O’Dwyer – Fashion designer
• Harris Reed – Fashion designer, creative director, Nina Ricci
• Steven Stokey-Daley – Fashion designer and creative director, S.S. Daley
FINANCIAL & LEGAL
• Dame Julia Hoggett – CEO, London Stock Exchange
• Motie Bring – CEO, PPRO
• Rebecca Chalkley KC – Barrister
• Oscar Davies – Barrister
• David Hynam – CEO, LV=
• Keio Yoshida – Senior legal advisor, Center for Reproductive Rights
• Deon Pillay – Head of marketing operations, Legal & General
• Chase Strangio – Transgender rights lawyer
• Anthony Watson – Founder, Bank of London
• Dr. Victoria McCloud – Legal consultant
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
• James Longman – Chief international correspondent, ABC News
• Christian Cooper – Science and comics writer
• Nova Dando – Global creative director, TikTok
• Snake Denton – Journalist and presenter
• William Hanson – Etiquette expert
• Ben Hunte – Journalist and broadcaster
• Charley Marlowe – Presenter and comedian
• Hafsa Qureshi – Activist, writer, and public speaker
• Harriet Rose – TV presenter
• Owain Wyn Evans – TV and radio presenter
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, & MATHEMATICS
• Dan O’Neill – Biologist and television presenter
• Dr. Sundeep Singh Boparai – Operations manager, Northwell Health
• Jerome Foster II – Environmental justice activist and entrepreneur
• Max Harris-Jones – Technical assistant, Bentley Motors
• Dr. Layla McCay – Founding director, Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health
• Dr. Kate Nambiar – Gender clinician and endocrinology specialist, Welsh Gender Service
• Tolu Osinubi – Director, Deloitte UK
• Sarah Rench – GenAI security lead, Avanade
• Kyne Santos – Drag queen and mathematician
• Lauryn Yuen – Global client solutions manager, TikTok
SPORT
• Thomas Hitzlsperger – Former footballer and LGBTQ+ advocate
• Tom Daley – Diver
• Anna Deignan – Director of fans and development, Premier League
• Richard Morris – Motor-racing driver and co-founder, Racing Pride
• Ryan O’Neill – Co-owner, Keighley Cougars
• Marie Patouillet – Cyclist
• João Lucas Reis da Silva – Tennis player
• Sha’Carri Richardson – Sprinter
• Milo Turnley – Founder, Transkaters
• Noa-Lynn van Leuven – Darts player
THE FUTURE
• GK Barry – Content Creator and Broadcaster
• X González – Gun control advocate
• Joe Hayes – Pride Beats Prejudice founder
• Abbie Jane – Rainbow Shoelace Project founder
• Shaneel Lal – Activist and ‘conversion therapy’ ban advocate
• Joe Locke – Actor
• Fred Roberts – Singer-songwriter
• Olly Shinder – Fashion designer
• Zaya Wade – Model and LGBTQ+ advocate
• Vivian Jenna Wilson – LGBTQ+ advocate and activist
THIRD SECTOR & COMMUNITY
• Friedel Dausab – LGBTQ+ activist
• Josh Babarinde OBE – Liberal Democrat MP
• Char Bailey – LGBTQ+ advocate
• Simon Blake OBE – Chief executive, Stonewall
• Rev. Richard Coles – Broadcaster and author
• Carla Denyer – MP and Green Party Co-leader
• David Furnish – Chairman, Elton John AIDS Foundation
• Jude Guaitamacchi – Activist and founder, Trans+ Solidarity Alliance
• Manvi Madhu Kashyap – Trans pioneer
• Sarah McBride – US Representative
TRAVEL
• Alicia Valenski – Travel writer and journalist
• Kristofer Barber – Director of global communications, Booking.com
• Ryan Bos – Executive director, Capital Pride Alliance
• Nora von Breitenbach – Founder, Quouch
• Doina Craciun – Co-founder, Queer Tours France
• Mark Duguid – Managing director, Kuoni UK
• Bilal El Hammoumy – Co-founder, Inclusive Morocco
• Eva María Lange – Founder and CEO, Pink Iceland
• Rick Stiffler – Senior vice president of global sales, Preferred Hotels & Resorts
• Alex Zeitz – Senior director of international operations, Virgin Voyages
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