The End of Kate Ford's Tracy

[Lane Kent]

It seems appropriate to put this here as this is a subject that seems deal to all of you.

Click here: www.digitalspy.co.uk
Digital Spy - Ford signs new Corrie contract

Ford signs new Corrie contract
23:16 BST, Friday 8th October 2004 -- by Kris Green

Coronation Street superbitch Tracy Barlow will be living on the cobbles for at least another year, The Sun reports today. Kate Ford, who plays the scheming single mother, has signed a new contract worth £80,000.

Producers are thrilled that the 'Soap Bitch of the Year' will be staying with them for twelve more months, although Ford announced that this will be her last contract, meaning she'll depart the soap November 2005.

An insider said: "Kate really enjoys playing Tracy Barlow, but she is aware there is only so far you can take a superbitch character. She has been promised some brilliant storylines by producers."

[note the Sun says £90,000. Also she wasn't voted bitch of the year by Inside Soap recently, that went to an EE actress. She was voted Bitch of the Year at the British Soap Awards 5 months ago and that award wasn't voted for by the public.

Further note this story was reported by Teletext Sat/Sum 2-3 Oct 2004 but they said Christmas 2005.

Now the big question is has she really been axed or is it her choice to go? We will probably never know but it is common practice these days not to reveal when an actor has been sacked and to either say "the contract was not renewed" or it is the actor's choice to go. There has been a few examples of this this year in all the soaps. We also know that the Harris family were given 12 month notices and Johnny Briggs is on his final two years.]

The Sun article can be read at www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2001320029-2004462837,00.html

[Jade]

Please say u r joking! I hope this is a load of nonsense I don't think that i can put up with her for yet another year!

[Lane Kent]

sorry it is another year. If you want to complain then you should email :-

[e-mail]

perhaps if they got so many they would reduce it or they would not not to renew again at the very least.

I think corrie could see its ratings go down to EE level if they over-use her next year. The only reason why the Tracy story has won awards is because of the popularlity of Karen and Steve. With Karen gone what else is there for Tracy to do? Even people who originally liked her are now sick of the character it would seem.

[Trinity]

Gee Lane anyone would think you dont like tracy lol!

[RitaLittlewood]

Hooray! But I agree with Bruno. Can't she go sooner? Like now? After all, we've suffered her long enough and we'll need special medals for endurance before long. That's those who are still watching in a year's time.

[Lane Kent]

As long as they don't overuse her I can see why they perhaps have made the decision they have.

They need to perfect who is going to be her successor as bitch on the Street. Cilla has caught the public imagination but perhaps they want to be sure she will work long-term. Frankie is proving a flop with viewers. It looks like there are plans a foot to tone down Maria. Maya can only be a short-term character.

So I guess the year move is one that has been taken out of caution. They want to rid but they don't want rush in especially with Karen gone.

I do wonder with this being Tracy's last year, perhaps with Mike Baldwin going on 2006 they have plans to bring back Linda Baldwin - heaven help if it is another new actress. As it has been announced people will bey vying for Mike's money. So perhaps Tracy is filling the gap?

[Trinity]

I hope they dont bring a new family in!

[Nick]

How things chamge./...KF had another three years !!!..no sign of Linda baldwin coming back for Mike's demise

and has Maria been toned down..??

[CG Wendy]

My jaw almost hit the floor then...I thought KF was coming back!!!

[RitaLittlewood]

LOL! I'd forgotten about this thread. Maria's still as much as a slapper as she always was. At least KF's gone - hooray!!!!

Patsy