From what I've seen published in the press etc, I find it strange how the highest paid people on Corrie are the ones who have been there the longest and make regular appearances, whereas Eastenders is different. I mean Rita and Ken are the highest paid I beleive and will continue to be even if they have only small storylines for years. It seems that it doesn't matter how popular a character is, (you don't get much bigger than Karen McDonald or many actresses as good as Suranne), their pay is always determined by length of time in the show.

Eastenders on the other otherhand mixes actors' time-served in the soap, with popularity of the character. So the likes of Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie are up there with Wendy Richard and probably June Brown when it comes to pay.

Just wondered why that was. At first I thought the EE method was the best, but I'm not so sure. I think Corrie's pay method would actually encourage people to stay for the long-term, because if they feel comfortable with their current wage, then they know it will only rise and rise over time...
It's a shame though that they are so underpaid compared to EE stars, especially when you consider the quality of THAT show lately. I'm surprised there haven't been pay cut-backs, like they did with Corrie a couple of years ago...

It's still not bad though when you consider that Suranne Jones gets paid as much as a qualified Doctor!

At least Corrie acknowledge an actors experience. Suranne leaving will affect the show no doubt, but not for long. Bill Roach leaving would be a much bigger blow considering how much history he has there and how many lives he has affected.

I agree and disagree. Staying in a soap long term may get you to a higher wage packet but leaving the soap when you're young (and popular) will have offers rolling in above that mark anyways.

Well it doesn't always work like that. Anyway, I never said they should all stay in the show unless sacked, just that IS encouraging to know your wage will rise over time. In Eastenders if you're young and one of the highest paid, I think many will be less inclined to stay because their wage will remain more or less the same.

I am not disagreeing with you I know it doesn't always work out like that and Suranne make get a shock as a lot may still see her as Karen.

I hate to say it and I am not EE bashing but a lot of the younger EE members who get a heavy wage do tend to get big headed.

So how much does each actor get? Shopping list please.

Rudi

Corrie's pay list has been printed several times over the years.

As for EE, I'm not sure, but you pick up individual actors' wages in random articles along the way and just piece it together..

As for Emmerdale, who knows! I read somewhere that Peter Armory (Chris Tate) was on 50k a year which can't be right cos that seems SHOCKING compared to other soaps, and was one of the longest running characters. I'm sure that's rubbish actually cos Sheree Murphy (Tricia) was on £120,000...

So Billy Mitchell gets £200k p.a.
Suranne Jones/ Karen McDonald gets £60k.

Any more?

Rudi

I agree that is a risk - but I think an even worse consequence is what younger/newer well-paid (some might say overpaid) soap actors DO with the dosh - drink it away/stick it up their nose, and end up in a lot of trouble/getting sacked/on front pages of tabloids. At least the Corrie actors have less spare cash, which might explain something...

I'm sure I remember reading that young Chesney was on about £40k a year!

Leslie Grantham, when he came back, was on a whopping £280,000 per year ( some £30k more than the next highest paid actor, who at the time was Steve McFadden. He's now on around £200,000 per year, presumably for misbehaving.

John Middleton (Ashley in Emmie) is on less than £100,000 as he quoted his salary as "5 figures".

I'm amazed some soap stars earn less then 100k tbh, considering the popularity of soaps.

I know for a fact some of my friends doing normal jobs earn more than Suranne Jones.

That i a basic pay. I know the Corrie stars get very generous bonuses when the show is doing very well or they have a particularly demanding schedule.

I agree with Drifter. I think Corrie's way of payinh their stars is much better. It will encourage the stars to stay at the soap longer and not leaving "to pursue other projetcs" when infact we may never see them again, even though they were great in their soap and if they stayed could have been there for a very long time!

Nikki Sanderson (Candice in Corrie) is on £80,000