Coronation Street star Jodie Prenger has addressed the decision to change the show’s format from next year.
The fan favourite, who plays Rovers barmaid Glenda Shuttleworth, has backed ITV bosses after the soap shake-up was announced last week.
ITV has confirmed that Coronation Street will air fewer episodes from January 2026, shifting from a six-episode to five-episode transmission pattern.
It’s not all bad news, though, as the changes mean that the unpopular hour-long slot will be ditched. Instead, Corrie will screen every weeknight at 8.30pm in a new soap “power hour” alongside Emmerdale, which is being billed as a more digestible format for soap fans.
Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy on the red carpet at the TV Choice Awards 2025, Jodie pointed out that Corrie has already aired in half-hour slots in the past. The show has also tried the five-nights format for special event weeks.
She told us: “It’s not something we’ve never done before. I also understand that in our lives, we’re all really busy. I think what they’ve done is they’ve amended that so it fits into people’s lives.
“For a lot of busy mums and busy dads and busy families, you can’t always fit in an hour.
“It sounds selfish but half an hour would work better for me. I’ve got dogs and cats and chickens and ducks and cows – and I’ve got a lot of shit to clean up!”
She added: “I’ve been a fan for years of that show. It’s a bit sycophantic but it’s a genuine honour to be there, so I love it.”
Jodie also spoke about the possibility of Glenda finding love in the future.
She laughed: “I think her swipe finger [on the dating apps] is getting overworked! I keep putting this out there, Pedro Pascal – but I know he’s busy. But if he ever fancies a bit of an English soap, Glenda’s waiting!”
Last week, ITV boss Kevin Lygo promised “pacey storytelling” and “streaming-friendly, 30-minute episodes” once the Corrie changes come in next year.
The soap isn’t thought to be planning a cast cull in response to the new format, although there are expected to be redundancies for those working behind the scenes.
The TV Choice Awards 2025 took place at the Hilton Park Lane on Monday evening (February 10).
The ceremony saw former Coronation Street star Peter Ash take home the Best Soap Performance prize for his character Paul Foreman’s exit storyline.
