CORRIE favourite Craig Gazey, better known as oddball butcher Graeme Procor, has carved himself a bumper pay deal – after nearly giving the soap the chop.
The 28-year-old award-winning actor had threatened to sling his butcher’s hook when his current £90,000-a-year Corrie deal runs out this spring.
Craig told show bosses he was keen to pursue a career in theatre and feared becoming typecast as geeky Graeme.
But the promise of some meatier storylines – and a bumper pay rise – sparked a change of heart.
Producer Phil Collinson persuaded Craig that his character was a big part of the hit ITV1 soap’s future and offered him a deal thought to be worth £150,000 a year.
A Corrie source said: “Craig is a highly valued member of the team, but it was touch and go as to whether he stayed.
“Craig’s desire to leave was genuine. He wanted to branch out and do more theatre, especially Shakespeare, to broaden his range of acting experience.
“But Corrie were determined to keep him. They consider him one of their shining stars and they can be very persuasive.
“They said his character Graeme would become one of the main players and promised some bumper stories. Craig admired their enthusiasm and vision and quickly signed on the dotted line. Everyone is thrilled he’s committed to the show.”
The 28-year-old award-winning actor had threatened to sling his butcher’s hook when his current £90,000-a-year Corrie deal runs out this spring.
Craig told show bosses he was keen to pursue a career in theatre and feared becoming typecast as geeky Graeme.
But the promise of some meatier storylines – and a bumper pay rise – sparked a change of heart.
Producer Phil Collinson persuaded Craig that his character was a big part of the hit ITV1 soap’s future and offered him a deal thought to be worth £150,000 a year.
A Corrie source said: “Craig is a highly valued member of the team, but it was touch and go as to whether he stayed.
“Craig’s desire to leave was genuine. He wanted to branch out and do more theatre, especially Shakespeare, to broaden his range of acting experience.
“But Corrie were determined to keep him. They consider him one of their shining stars and they can be very persuasive.
“They said his character Graeme would become one of the main players and promised some bumper stories. Craig admired their enthusiasm and vision and quickly signed on the dotted line. Everyone is thrilled he’s committed to the show.”
Michelle Keegan, who plays Graeme’s sexy girlfriend Tina McIntyre, will also be given an increased screen role. She and Craig are already gearing up for a gripping storyline involving the return of Jack Duckworth’s bad boy grandson, Tommy.
Ex-Hollyoaks star Chris Fountain, 23, will become the third actor to play Tommy Duckworth. The handsome rogue returns to Weatherfield in March and tries to steal Tina from Graeme.
A show insider said: “Tina and Graeme didn’t count on Jack and Vera’s grandson rocking the boat for them.
“It’s going to be a great storyline. The viewers adore Graeme, but Tommy definitely has some of his dad Terry’s cheeky charm. And Chris and Michelle will sizzle together on screen.”
Since making his Street debut as David Platt’s weird cellmate, Craig has won a clutch of awards. In 2009, he was crowned Best Newcomer at the Inside Soap Awards.
Last January he scooped the Best Newcomer gong at the National Television Awards.
And in May he won Best Comedy Performance at the British Soap Awards.
In the nominations for this year’s National Television Awards, announced today, Corrie, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, is up for Best Serial. And so is rival EastEnders, which recently notched up its 25th anniversary.
Ex-Hollyoaks star Chris Fountain, 23, will become the third actor to play Tommy Duckworth. The handsome rogue returns to Weatherfield in March and tries to steal Tina from Graeme.
A show insider said: “Tina and Graeme didn’t count on Jack and Vera’s grandson rocking the boat for them.
“It’s going to be a great storyline. The viewers adore Graeme, but Tommy definitely has some of his dad Terry’s cheeky charm. And Chris and Michelle will sizzle together on screen.”
Since making his Street debut as David Platt’s weird cellmate, Craig has won a clutch of awards. In 2009, he was crowned Best Newcomer at the Inside Soap Awards.
Last January he scooped the Best Newcomer gong at the National Television Awards.
And in May he won Best Comedy Performance at the British Soap Awards.
In the nominations for this year’s National Television Awards, announced today, Corrie, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, is up for Best Serial. And so is rival EastEnders, which recently notched up its 25th anniversary.
Source: The Daily Mirror
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