Coronation Street and Emmerdale stars have reportedly threatened to go on strike after mass pay cuts and less airtime.  

Cast members have turned to acting union Equity for support after they received an email advising they will be filming fewer scenes, being paid less as a result. 

This has caused some stars to claim they could lose as much as a sixth of their annual income in what has been described as a 'pay-as-you-play' deal.

And now the union are said to be planning to ballot members over potential strike action.

A source told The Sun: 'An email went out from ITV management telling 140-odd actors and their agents simultaneously that all new contracts are being cut by a sixth from August.

'It's caused uproar, there was no consultation, they effectively told the stars to take it or leave it. This is a major crisis.'

It's understood that some Coronation Street and Emmerdale stars are furious - and some have been in tears after 'worrying about paying their bills'.

One cast member is said to have contacted Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy about the decision, and she is expected to also have discussions with Equity as she is 'very concerned' about the move.

But some of the longest-serving cast members will be protected due to their older contracts.

Pay ranges between £250,000 for the top earners and around £40,000 to £80,000 for newcomers, who are on pay per episode deals with a guaranteed minimum number of appearances.

ITV confirmed the changes will be implemented, while Equity said they are 'supporting members across continuing dramas at ITV in relation to decisions made regarding contractual terms'.

News of the paycut comes days after ITV confirmed they are making another change, but one which will benefit Emmerdale and Coronation Street stars because they will be allowed to take short breaks from the soaps to appear in pantomime for the first time.

A spokesperson for ITV told Radio Times: 'We've agreed to release a few of the actors from Emmerdale and Coronation Street to appear in pantomime this year.

'We've been looking at this for a while and with plenty of notice, we've been able to release the actors for a limited time.  

It comes after both Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been cancelled this week in an ITV schedule shake-up - in a blow to soap fans.

The soap operas began new schedules in January, although bosses are again pulling them from schedules to make way for sport fixtures.

Usually, the 'soap power hour' sees Emmerdale air at 8pm for 30 minutes, then Coronation Street for another 30 minutes.

On Friday (March 6), both soaps will be off air due to a Six Nations match being aired instead.

In prior shake-ups, the shows would be moved to alternative days or times within the week, but the five-day schedule now makes this less feasible.

Both soaps will return to screens on Monday (March 9), for their normal 8pm and 9pm slots.

The Daily Mail had contacted ITV for a comment.