Corrie 2026

Thank you for starting it

I'm uncomfortable with the Betsy story unfolding at the moment. It doesn't seem appropriate in a "family programme", or am I being prudish?

I gave my views at the end of the last thread. If, as we are told, strangulation during sex is a trend, particularly among the young who have porn thrust on them, then it is a good idea to point out the dangers. I'm not sure that Corrie is the best vehicle, however, precisely because it is not a family programme these days. It is on much later than it used to be, so after most young children's bedtime, and older children are not the target audience.

Corrie used to be family viewing when there were few channels and households shared one TV, but the days of the whole family watching together are long gone, other than for major sporting events and the odd show such as Strictly or Bake Off which attract viewers of all ages.

But surely the fact that its an older demograph watching Corrie means that people who might not be aware that this is a social media driven trend are being given that informatio . Yes, its uncomfortable watching, but if it raises just one conversation with a vulnerable person, is it not worth it?
People are so drawn to their phones, assumptions of what is "normal" get so intrenched.. and women are very vulnerable during sex.. it takes courage to say No, when "everyone" says its "normal".
Society needs to talk about this before more women, and men, are hurt or killed.

I disagree Exdancer if it makes one young person think before embarking on something so horrific, then it’s had its worth. Even if it makes one parent have that conversation with their teenager then it’s been worth it.
It’s a horrible practice, how it’s ever been made popular I ll never know, but it’s a good story to bring it home to young people, their parents or even their grandparents

I see what you mean, but I can't imagine that many people discuss the details of their sex lives with their grandparents.

I've no objection to the storyline at all, except that Dylan has been a poor soul since the day he was conceived, which was another public event. His mum running off with Jamie Baldwin and leaving Sean bereft, then coming back to fall in with the wrong crowd and end up in the Young Offenders' Unit, and now this. I'd like to see him have a happier time, poor lad.

I have missed a few episodes but as soon as I saw Betsy in hospital slurring her words I knew it must be a Stroke. We are very pleased that Corrie has highlighted the fact that people can have strokes at any age, even young kids and teenagers. She is playing her part brilliantly. My husband’s two Strokes have really affected his speech and he gets very upset and frustrated that he is unable to say a lot of what he wants to.

Primrose53

I have missed a few episodes but as soon as I saw Betsy in hospital slurring her words I knew it must be a Stroke. We are very pleased that Corrie has highlighted the fact that people can have strokes at any age, even young kids and teenagers. She is playing her part brilliantly. My husband’s two Strokes have really affected his speech and he gets very upset and frustrated that he is unable to say a lot of what he wants to.

Corrie does get it right sometimes. This storyline is double edged. Not only does it highlight Strokes in young people but it is also mentioning the social media sites that show sexual practices like choking your partner during sex which seems to be why Betsy has had a Stroke. I would far rather see the soaps following these storylines instead of bully boys and murder.

I can see now why this storyline is being featured. I didn’t realise that this fake strangling during sex is a big thing with teenagers!

I must be so innocent and naive. My lovely 18 year old GD has a boyfriend the same age, both in the same year at school. Don’t know him as such, but he appears a pleasant, quiet lad.

Frankly, it horrifies me if this is the type of sex they have.

She’s a sensible girl, so I hope not, but who knows.

(I am not so naive to think they don’t have sex).

I am forever grateful that I am not young - I feel so sad about the pressures and expectations put on our young girls - I have three granddaughters and it hurts my heart to think about anything like the Betsy storyline happening to them, please no.

In other news 'for goodness sake Tracy put him down' - yuck.

Kit would you ever leave poor Gary alone - oh no wait, he is going to help him now - hmmmm

Still not at all sure why George and Christina live in Eileen's house.

We haven't seen poor Sam lately...

I must say I think the young Corrie actors, particularly the two playing Betsy and Dylan, are doing a terrific job at the moment. I didn’t like the sound of the new storyline at first, but if it raises awareness even to the slightest degree it’ll have been well worth it.

I think Kit is setting Sarah up. He was keen for her to go to leave the flat before talking to his dodgy phone technician and asking him to download the info. Why does he need that? To frame Gary or Sarah?

Why is there a problem with Joseph’s fees at his private school? Wasn’t his Grandma paying? What’s happened to her?

Primrose53

Why is there a problem with Joseph’s fees at his private school? Wasn’t his Grandma paying? What’s happened to her?

You must have missed an episode Primrose.

Ches had phone call from granny Linda. Her rental business had gone belly up, she was broke so wouldn’t be able to keep paying Joseph’s school fees.

Cue Ches wanting to get a £8k loan! As if!

So Dev and Bernie stepped in, offering to get a loan themselves to pay fees. But reluctantly Ches and Gemma said no, J would have to go to Weathy High, but he wasn’t keen.

Then Linda turned up trumps, she could somehow keep paying the fees until after GCSE’s.

Hurrah!

(But we now realise it’s Dev who is paying, but pretending Linda is the one).

Happy ending all round.

It’s a good thing that Corrie is portraying this horrific near-strangulation during sex storyline. I’d never heard of such thing - until I had the lightbulb moment - that force for good/force for evil INTERNET! What a horrific thing to do to someone - almost strangle your partner in the height of passion! Does it give an extra “rush” of pleasure?!! I’ve obviously been innocent of such crazy and life-threatening ideas! Kids/young adults have died through this sort of thing that they’ve seen on the internet and the parents won’t know that their youngsters have indulged in such a practice until it can be too late. So I do think Corrie is correct in transmitting this, although Corrie’s target audience isn’t youngsters, more likely their parents, but mostly grandparents. Grandparents are unlikely to be talking to their grandchildren about such matters, I would have thought. We all need knowledge of these unspeakably dreadful practices. I’m shocked that these things go on.

Thanks so much Calendargirl. Yes I have missed a couple of episodes. All clear now, thanks. £8k isn’t going to go far in a private school though.

Calendargirl

I can see now why this storyline is being featured. I didn’t realise that this fake strangling during sex is a big thing with teenagers!

I must be so innocent and naive. My lovely 18 year old GD has a boyfriend the same age, both in the same year at school. Don’t know him as such, but he appears a pleasant, quiet lad.

Frankly, it horrifies me if this is the type of sex they have.

She’s a sensible girl, so I hope not, but who knows.

(I am not so naive to think they don’t have sex).

I agree that it is an eye-opener to our generation.
I think what Corrie is trying to highlight is that social media has sites like this which are accessible to young people who are in the early stages of experimenting with sex and what they are showing on these sites is downright dangerous. There's lots in the news at the moment about the tech giants dragging their heels about taking such sites down. Corrie being spot on for once.

I have read in real life that people have died after this practice, mainly gays for some odd reason.

I agree it should be shown, but it is the wrong age group seeing it. Would a parent discuss this with a teenager? I personally wouldn't have thought so.

Charleygirl5

I have read in real life that people have died after this practice, mainly gays for some odd reason.

I agree it should be shown, but it is the wrong age group seeing it. Would a parent discuss this with a teenager? I personally wouldn't have thought so.

You would like to think that a parent would say something. It isn't an easy subject to raise because you are assuming your teenager is sexually active. If they are not then they may be offended and if they are you are probably the last person they want to discuss their sex life with. Are teenagers more gullible than we were? Social media and its influencers have thousands off them following like sheep.

Checking in.

To be quite honest I haven't understood most of this week. I am neither young or on social media. I too doubt the target audience watches Corrie. The young actress who plays Betsy has played the part brilliantly though. As for Kit, I think he is going to get Sarah's phone cleared but keep evidence to set up Gary.

If it was to be a discussion you brought up with your child what would be anyone’s reaction be if they said ‘Don’t you go doing it either mum or dad or grandparents’

It’s bound to come out for Sarah.

I too doubt the target audience watches Corrie

Probably not, but the storyline seems to be generating much comment on social media sites and I trust various tv programmes might feature it as well (thinking of the sort that mums might watch, and instigate some discussions with both sons and daughters).

It all seems a lifetime away when getting pregnant was the main concern about young sex.