Coronation Street star Jane Danson was “heartbroken” after her co-star Samia Longchambon shared a “sad” update on her social media.
Samia, 41, best known for playing Maria Connor since 2000, spoke out on Instagram after it was revealed CITV had been axed by ITV after 17 years on screen.
Before landing their roles on the ITV soap, both Samia and Jane, who made her first appearance as Leanne Battersby in 1997, worked on TV shows that aired on the children’s channel.
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Sharing a snap from her days working on The Ward in 1995, Samia wrote: “It’s sad to hear that CITV is closing as a channel…
(Image: Instagram/ @samia_longchambon)
“I’ve got special memories of working on some of its shows. This #throwback is from #TheWard 1995 (previously children’s ward) .. how many of you are old enough to remember that?!”
Also in the 90s throwback snap was Jane, 44, and former EastEnders actor Danny Dyer and, who both shared a message in the comments.
An emotional Jane penned: “Absolutely heartbreaking. It would such a brilliant platform for us as young actors and produced some amazing shows. Such a shame.”
Danny, 46, who starred as Mick Carter from 2013 to 2022 on the BBC soap, added: “Good memories. Lovely people.”
Fans rushed to the comments to share their sadness at the news, with one writing: ” Such a sad day when our childhood channels and shows all start to disappear.”
Another shared: “Awww such a lovely photo – My mum #kaymellor & #PaulAbbot created Children’s Ward. In our dining room. Launched so many wonderful actors careers.”
(Image: ITV)
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“Yep, I grew up in a CITV rather than CBBC household – so sad to hear it’s coming to an end,” added a third.
A fourth fumed: “Children’s TV is screwed. Used to live getting home from school and putting CBBC or CITV on. Now what? More American nonsense? Children need home grown entertainment.”
In a statement to Sky News, ITV said the decision to close the channel was due to falling viewership.
The statement read: “As a consequence of this new streaming approach and responding to the changing ways children and their parents are increasingly accessing content. The CITV broadcast channel will close after the summer holidays on 1st September.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
