Coronation Street has announced cast members won’t be taking part in this month’s Manchester Pride Parade for the very first time.
The long-running soap, which was devised by gay screenwriter Tony Warren, has featured a large number of LGBTQ+ actors and characters on the famed cobbles over the years.
It’s become somewhat of a tradition for stars of the show to take part in the Saturday parade that stretches from Deansgate on one side of the city centre to Fairfield Street near Canal Street, Manchester’s gay village.
A source told the Manchester Evening News that the decision has been made as a result of ‘ITV wide cost controls on expenses, entertaining and paid for attendance at events.’
While Coronation Street won’t be formally on the parade, it is understood that Barbara Knox and Sue Devaney, who play Rita Tanner and Debbie Webster, will be appearing on the Alan Turing Stage during Your Manchester Live on Sunday, August 25.
A spokesperson for ITV said: ‘ITV cast and colleagues will be present in a personal capacity however this year we won’t be having a formal entry.
‘We continue to underline our commitment to our LGBTQ+ colleagues and viewers across the year and our celebration of Pride includes our This Living Room is a Proud One on air campaign starring Alan Carr.’