ITV bosses of Coronation Street and Emmerdale have been forced to issue fans with a warning against a new social media scam.

Fans are led to believe accounts on social media including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are of the soap stars themselves. But in fact, the accounts are fake. Celebrities including Alison King, who plays Carla and Kate Ford, who plays Tracey are one of many who have had fake accounts set up in their name. And things have become so bad, ITV bosses spoke directly to fans warning them against the scam.

The joint statement read: “Please be mindful that the Coronation Street and Emmerdale actors are often impersonated on social media by scammers who set up fake accounts on platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Telegram.” It added: “As producers of both programmes, we feel we should warn viewers that this is happening, and noticeably more frequently of late. Please take great care when conversing on social media and be vigilant about these fake accounts by reporting them to the appropriate platform.”

This comes after ITV announced that Emmerdale and Coronation Street will not be shown in their usual slots on Friday night. Instead, the broadcaster will be airing the Euro 2024 football match. Corrie icon Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt, has been rumoured to be joining this year’s line-up of Strictly Come Dancing after confirming that she’s leaving the ITV soap. The 73 year old actress revealed that she was quitting the soap after five decades.

Odds for her to join the BBC show are currently 8/1. She has also been given odds of 10/1 to join I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here as well as Celebrity Big Brother. If Strictly rumours are to be believed, she will be following in the footsteps of winner Ellie Leach and Kym Marsh, who played Michelle Connor for 13 years. But Helen is yet to make an announcement confirming speculation. Speaking of her exit, she said: “This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world,” she said when announcing her exit.”

She added: “I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding. I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew.”