Actress Claire Sweeney has parted ways with her agent Melanie Blake after she publicly called for one of her Coronation Street co-stars to be axed from the ITV show.

Loyal Claire has stood by friend Samia Longchambon, who plays Maria in the soap, after Claire’s representative took to social media to say she should be dropped from the show. 

Back in January, when the show was going through a cash crisis and speculation was rife that cast members were up for the chop, Melanie asked her Twitter followers who they thought should be axed before adding that her top choice would be Samia’s character Maria Connor. 

Samia, 42, who will celebrate 25 years playing Maria Connor in May, was left shocked and upset by the stark comment.

While her cast and crew mates were in disbelief that a top talent agent who looks after predominantly female soap stars would start a social media pile on.

Now we can reveal that Claire, 53, who plays Cᴀssie Plummer, has now split from Melanie following the nasty tweet. 

Actress Claire Sweeney (above) has parted ways with her agent after she publicly called for one of her Coronation Street co-stars to be axed from the ITV show.

Loyal Claire has stood by friend Samia Longchambon, who plays Maria in the soap, after Claire’s agent Melanie Blake (above) took to social media to say she should be dropped from the show 

A source said: ‘Everyone was talking about what Melanie did to Samia – it was the talk of the green room.

‘There was a lot of shock and disbelief that someone’s agent would behave like that so publicly especially when the show was going through a tricky time.

‘Samia is a really popular member of the cast, and is genuinely one of the nicest actresses on the show. She did not deserve any of it.’

We can also reveal that since their split, Claire and Melanie have unfollowed one another on Instagram. 

Claire has been telling Corrie insiders that she dumped Melanie, however, Melanie told MailOnline that it was her decision to part company, saying: ‘We made a decision to cut our entire Coronation cast list as we are downsizing the soaps list as I am going to be working in Australia.’

Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fizz Brown, has also followed in Claire’s footsteps and left Melanie’s agency.

Former Brookside star Claire joined Coronation Street two years ago as the estranged mum of Tyrone Dobbs, played by I’m A Celeb star Alan Halsall, and daughter of Evelyn Plummer, played acting legend Dame Maureen Lipman.

Melanie still represents Emmerdale’s Claire King and Michelle Hardwick.

Melanie’s tweets prompted anger amongst Coronation Street stars when she took to X in January. In tweets which have since been deleted, Melanie asked her followers:

In January Melanie asked her Twitter followers who they thought should be axed before adding that her top choice would be Samia’s character Maria Connor

Samia, 42, who will celebrate 25 years playing Maria Connor in May, was left shocked and upset by the comment (pictured on the show) 

Read More Samia Longchambon in ‘disbelief’ as talent agent calls for her character to be axed from soap

‘Corrie couple characters you’d happy wave off the cobbles. Let’s do a vote. No affiliations with anyone I work with. So, who would you like to see axed immediately & which true icons needs to returned #Corrie? Pick 1 in & out & be nice! ‘Maria’ out for me 1st plz #taxi.’

Samia commented on Melanie’s post and wrote: ‘What have I ever done to you?’

Defending herself, Melanie insisted she had nothing against Samia but simply wouldn’t miss her character Maria if she was no longer on the soap.

She wrote: ‘You haven’t upset me darling, I’ve met you and your lovely, l just think ‘Maria’ has had a really good on screen run years length of time but didn’t doesn’t get the stories she needs for me – to stay invested in on what is clearly going to be a тιԍнтening up on numbers.

‘The poll was character based only & I never feel like Maria gets an A storyline and with the show so packed and you still being young attractive & talented – I picked your character for me as I wouldn’t miss ‘her’ & I find Gary more interesting without her – that’s just me!’

Melanie then referenced press reports that actors are fearful they may be axed from Coronation Street amid cost cuts.

She wrote: ‘I would equally like to see you either stay and get more ‘Maria driven’ stories which I’m sure would change my mind – your talent has never been in question – just the characters relevance in its current climate – as you can see socials are discussing cuts to characters & for me – she’s in the danger zone unless you have great stuff coming up we haven’t see yet!

‘And others I would have listed way before you are already gone – going – not targeted in away shape or form – just taste.

Samia commented on Melanie’s post and wrote: ‘What have I ever done to you?’

Defending herself, Melanie insisted she had nothing against Samia but simply wouldn’t miss her character Maria if she was no longer on the soap

Samia was unimpressed with Melanie’s response however and wrote back: ‘So, basically, ‘nothing personal but you think I should be fired’. Thanks’

Samia (pictured in character) was unimpressed and wrote back: ‘So, basically, ‘nothing personal but you think I should be fired’. Thanks. Wishing you all the best Melanie’ 

Soaring TV production costs and a collapse in advertising revenue are said to have put the future of the ITV soap in jeopardy (Samia and Mikey North as Gary Windᴀss)

‘Please don’t let any ‘personal’ comments hijack me threads off based on fictional & the ever evolving soap world. Which is of course what soap fans do – discuss the shows – especially during reboots.’ 

Samia was unimpressed with Melanie’s response however and wrote back: ‘So, basically, “nothing personal but you think I should be fired”. Thanks. Wishing you all the best Melanie.’

Melanie replied: ‘Actually it’s sounding quite personal now as you are totally ignoring my very polite responses explaining my comment apologies if I touched an unintentional nerve. We are allowed our opinions and on which characters we like over others & that was it. All best too, and good-luck!’

Coronation Street stars are reportedly being barred from the Rovers Return as the soap desperately tries to cut costs.

Soaring TV production costs and a collapse in advertising revenue are said to have put the future of the ITV soap in jeopardy.

An insider has claimed some of the show’s well known actors could see their scenes in the Rovers Return cut in a bid to save money.