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Isidingo not losing key actors

Cape Town – Isidingo is not losing headline actors despite rumour-mill stories about the popular SABC3 soap in the tabloid press which have been rubbished by the crew and cast.

Isidingo actors Robert Whitehead, Kgomotso Christopher and Vusi Kunene are not only locked into contracts with Endemol South Africa but personally want to remain with the popular SABC3 Gray Hofmeyr created soap.

Stories that they're being written out dished up by tabloids without checking facts are simply "untrue".

Many reports surfaced saying that the Isidingo actors might be heading out the door and also claimed last year that Isidingo is ending despite the soap's contract with the South African public broadcaster which was actually extended.

Isidingo's new head writer Liam J Stratton calls the check-out stand tabloid journalism "untrue", saying the rumours that characters are going to be written out are "unfounded".

When Isidingo actress Kgomotso Christopher chimed in with: "The pen is a mighty sword ... dangerous in the wrong hands" following the printed rumours, Liam J Stratton retorted with: "I think this was more a case of a crayon not a pen".

"There's no rational incentive to let go of current pivotal on-air talent in [the] production at this point in time," a source told Channel24.

Heads will not roll

"Let me say right here and now that these reports are unfounded and unjust," Liam J Stratton told Channel24.

"Heads will not roll and blood will not be spilled and even if this was going to happen, I would have the decency and respect to inform the actors personally first. Face to face. Way in advance," he said.

"Marking my turf? Sensationalist stories? I'm not a gossip journalist (...) sorry, I mean writer (...) no journalism involved. I guard future stories fiercely and am very protective over all aspects and people that are involved to tell it well, including the actors whom I have the greatest respect for," he said.

"I would suggest these gossip journalists (...) sorry I mean writers, could learn something from the approach I am applying to my team about telling stories – the best ones are grounded in reality, research and most importantly getting it right.”

"Big stars leaving in a show's celebratory 15th anniversary year when everybody on it all went through difficult yet bonding times together as a team? Really? Hilarious," said another well-placed longtime source connected to the show.

Another source at the broadcaster said: "Bogus trash. More interesting is how Isidingo regained its footing exactly a year after the fire." The soap was dealt a severe setback and production nightmare a year ago when a blaze destroyed Henley Studios at the SABC where Isidingo was filmed.

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