Coronation Street’s most complained about storylines after latest Ofcom row – from eating pet chicken to racism claims
CORONATION Street has become embroiled in an Ofcom row after 72 objections were raised over its recent acid attack stalking storyline.
Viewers were unhappy with Daisy Midgeley’s stalker storyline coming to a head and resulting in groom Ryan Connor being doused in acid instead of the bride.
Creepy Justin started becoming obsessed with Daisy after meeting in a hospital waiting room when she had a cancer scare.
The chilling plot was devised alongside The Katie Piper Foundation and Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) to ensure the devastating impact of an attack and long lasting repercussions was portrayed correctly.
The soap is no stranger to controversy and has had thousands of complaint to the watchdog over its 62-years on air.
Viewers latest gripe is barely a drop in the ocean compared to previous storylines that left fans up in arms.
From pet chicken dinners to racist quips, we take a look at the tales upset viewers most.
‘Horror film’ attack – 662 complaints
In 2018 fans were furious at how gory the soap had become when Pat Phelan continued his murder spree in Weatherfield.
The villain gunned down Luke Britton in grisly pre-watershed scenes before torching his car and burning him alive.
He opted for the grim method after failing to kill Luke hitting him over the head with a rock.
Phelan targeted the mechanic because he had found evidence that implicated the crook in the disappearance of Andy Carver.
Viewers complained the scenes were too “harrowing” and “violent” to air before 9pm.
Even legendary broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson was unimpressed, claiming the soap had become like a “horror film than a family show”.
A spokesman for ITV told the MailOnline: “Pat Phelan is well established as a villain in a long line of murderous Coronation Street villains, and his evil actions won’t have come as a surprise to viewers.
“The programme is always careful to limit the violence shown to a minimum to convey the drama and tell the story. We have responded to Ofcom.”
Double cross murder – 541 complaints
Phelan’s crime spree started causing outrage in 2017 when he forced hostage Andy Carver to kill Vinny Ashford in order to gain his freedom.
Andy followed through with the deadly order and was then killed by Phelan in grime scenes that shocked the nation and led to 541 complaints.
Several complaints compared the two-part storyline to horror film Saw – which is about a twisted serial killer Jigsaw who gets victims to play games often involving removing their own limbs.
Other viewers said the storyline was “took dark” and that Phelan was “Corrie’s answer to the Grim Reaper”.
Ofcom chose to investigate the scenes but concluded that they didn’t break any broadcasting rules.
Kunta Kinte ‘joke’ – 473 complaints
Catherine Tyldesley’s character Eva Price and Corrie were slammed when the hairdresser made a racist comment saying “I’ve got more roots than Kunta Kinte!”
The reference is to a character from the novel Roots: The Saga of an America Family, which was based on the ancestor of author Alex Haley.
It led to 473 people getting in touch with the Ofcom for the “casual racism” in the “unacceptable” scene. Many other viewers voiced their horror about it on Twitter.
One angry viewer posted: “Whoever wrote this and approved the script – shame on you! Comparing hair to a slave?”
Soap bosses apologised for the comment after seeing the reaction from Brits.
An ITV spokesperson said: “We apologise if this dialogue has caused offence.”
Pet chicken dinner trick – 359 complaints
The storyline of Yasmeen Nazir’s abuse at the hand of partner Geoff Metcalfe raised important awareness of coercive control.
But many viewers thought it was taken too far when the villain tricked Yasmeen into eating her pet chicken during an episode aired in 2020.
He killed and cooked the bird after being furious that he had been presented dinner with no meat – and didn’t tell Yasmeen that it was Charlotte until she had started eating.
The TV watchdog received 359 for the “uncomfortable” and “cruel” episode following it’s broadcast.
It wasn’t the first time viewers had complained about the domestic abuse storyline and many fans of the ITV soap switched off.
Yasmeen’s bloody revenge – 304 complaints
In 2020, Yasmeen finally found the willpower to fight back against abuser Geoff and attacks him with a broken bottle.
She resorts to violence when the brute threatens her with a knife, and stabs him in the neck with the broken glass.
It was a culmination of enduring months of Geoff’s abuse and the episode ended with the cruel man twitching on the floor.
Straight after the episode 276 complaints were made at the watchdog with a further 28 received in the aftermath of the story.
Viewers were unhappy with how violent the episode was, with some taking to Twitter to share their shock.
One person wrote: “I’m struggling to remember a more disturbing half hour of soap.”
‘Tragic’ ending for LGBT wedding – 236 complaints
In 2019, viewers were left unhappy when the soap killed off Rena on her wedding day to Kate Connor.
The lesbian was crushed when the factory roof collapsed before the pair could tie the knot.
Fans claimed it was harmful to the LGBT+ community as it suggested all gay relationships had to end in tragedy.
The fury was part of a wider backlash over other TV shows, including The 100 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, killing off their gay and lesbian characters.
It came two years after soap fans complained about a gay kiss between Todd Grimshaw and Marcus Dent for being too risqué.
Ofcom decided not to investigate the concerns over the story line as they felt the dramatic plot “would not have exceeded most viewers’ expectations.”
‘Touchy-feely’ therapy jibe – 275
Maureen Lipman’s character Evelyn Plummer was at the centre of another of the show’s complaints scandal.
The elderly woman suggested that troubled Hope Stape should be given “professional help” rather than “touchy, feely rubbish” after she set fire to a flat.
Tryone and Alina to lost their baby as a result of the 11-year-old’s actions.
It’s the second complaint made about the straight talking character. Fans made 70 complaints about her “insensitive” tone-deaf IVF comments in 2019.
Evelyn said: “You can’t move for twins and triplets these days. At least she did it the old-fashioned way and not through, what’s it, IVF.”
Date rape scenes – 183 complaints
Coronation Street was inundated with complaints after showing a rape storyline involving David Platt, played by Jack P. Shepherd.
The controversial episode showed Josh Tucker spike David’s drink with date rape drug GHB.
The predator then took David back to his house and into his bedroom.
David is seen at times saying no and pushing pal Josh away.
As David laid passed out face down, Josh said: “It’s gonna be lights on tonight I reckon,” before undoing his belt and jeans.
A following episode showed David dealing with the aftermath of the rape – which prompted more complaints to be made.
Viewers claimed the storyline shouldn’t have been shown pre-watershed as it was “adult content”.