Male rape on Coronation Street

Due to snow I have watched some daytime TV and chanced upon ancient Coronation Street episodes. What a difference to the awful, shocking scripts with ridiculous and dramatic endings for every episode that happen now. Like LesleyC I saw the first black and white episode with my Mum back in 1960 and have watched on and off ever since, but I turned it off recently when Sinead was having a pointless gormless conversation that went on and on until I thought I might scream. Pity; there are some fine actors and it used to rely upon the humour of everyday life. Now we have burning buildings, bodies down drains or in factory floors, female cast members who have married every man in the cast (often twice) and....oh, it's just too much even thinking about it. How unlucky are the Platts? I would have a mass family suicide pact and end everyone's misery.

Used to love the humour in Corrie. Now they are trying to keep up with Eastenders which I have never watched. Stopped watching it a while ago when the Phelan character came in.

I saw the episode in question. Nothing visually offensive but it was all very strongly implied and understood by those of us who are aware of the area being highlighted. What concerns me is the obvious subsequent questions which will come from children once we get into the nitty gritty of this plot. Mmmmmm.

Perhaps I didn't mean it quite so literally gillybob, but the characters do change partners within the Street on quite a regular basis and sometimes end up with the one they started with.

Lots of people commenting who don't actually watch the programme!

I don't watch it Jane10 but commented on the basis of others' comments. Is that allowed?
Vq's OP raised a question about the suitability for children of broadcast material generally and male rape specifically. It wasn't only about Coronation St.

Please do write and tell ITV what you think. I watched for years but have been very disgusted with recent story lines. Not only the violence but the really bad script writing. I got a pretty civilised response and do believe that if enough people complain there is a chance of a rethink. I have not watched for several months now.

Oh yes, I agree with you there LesleyC . If you did a kind of relationship tree, they would almost all be "linked" at some point.

I think there are plans to introduce some new houses and shops soon, which must mean some new characters too. The story lines are becoming a little bit thin.

When I was a child my dad wouldn't let me watch Doctor Kildare! Eventually I persuaded him and it was showing a woman giving birth. "That's it" he said, and I never got to watch it again. As for the male rape I wish Corrie had left that subject alone. It's just that David has already been through too much. Now he's found happiness with a new lady and this has to happen. It's so depressing. I can't bear to see how he will suffer.

Mave Phelan's bodies been found yet?! I haven't watched any of the recent episodes properly, just skipped forward in case they are - but have I missed it???

I do stick with Corrie as I watched it with my parents and they have had some great characters over the years . Shame they don't have many of them at the moment. One or two humorous characters - Sally, Tim, Tracey, Liz and Moira are quite amusing. The male rape story was implied rather than explicit, but I agree a bit dark before the watershed. I guess they have to keep churning out storylines to keep people viewing. Some they get right some they don't.

Try watching East Enders if you want shocking.

It's a terrible program with it's fair share of violence in the past.

There was no rape on Corrie, only implied. Many children would not be aware of the message.

Some of us need to grow up a bit and not be so prudish.

Male rape is a serious subject. Is it a subject that should be used for entertainment purposes? The producers might say they're bringing it into the light but let's be honest they wouldn't be interested in it if they didn't think they'd keep/attract more viewers and maintain/increase their advertisement revenue.

I stopped watching Eastenders when that ginger haired bloke got buried alive I m hanging on to Corrie by a thread Phelan and his mass murders have really done it for me although I have to admit he’s a good actor and believable in that part but the storyline is ridiculous

Corrie is the only soap I watch yes it was all implied like the Bethany story line u fortunatly tnese things go on in the real world and should be highlighted. I have caught the end of Emmerdale some times and seen some equally hairy storyline cliff hangers and that is on well before watershed as is Eastenders.

I am fed up with the tedious, drawn-out story lines, but OH still enjoys it. Before every episode there is a statement about which organisation to contact if you are upset. Ena Sharples must be spinning in her grave. Not to mention Tony Warren.

I think Coronation Street has lost its way. At one time it was light hearted and amusing. Now it's just plain depressing and immoral. Last Friday was the last time I will watch it - so I'll have another 3 hours in the week to watch better programmes. Bye bye Corriedale.

Will the Corri producers please please give us respite again from the whinging cringing ' oh Ty' Fiz and her puppy dog brother Ches.?

Gave up borrow when they got rid of Derek and his car with the green paperclip on top. Agree it is a northern Eastenders all doom and gloom.

I worry about the amount of horrific crime in the Metro which secondary school pupils must read on their way to school.

I can’t stand the Chesney character sarahhellenwhitney he is awful. A wet blanket, a whiner, sly, sneaky, a liar , creepy.... infact an all round weasel of a person .
I know it’s not real !

I agree with Colette, I don't want to watch it. Please don't tell me it's real life and we should deal with the issues. Programmes like Coronation Street are supposed to be entertaining. If I want real life I don't think soaps are where to find credible information. I also think many films on television supposedly 12a are not appropriate for children that age. Don't set me off with "well you can alway switch off". No, no, no. I want responsible programming. I'm 67 and I don't want to see all that rubbish dressed up as "art". Rant over

What Trisher said.

It seems that soap screenwriters are determined to shock (rather than amuse) their viewers.

We have always enjoyed Coronation Street, but recently there has been Phelan's storyline, where he has tormented and murdered.

The grooming storyline, which went on forever. Billy's heroin addiction story, and now male rape! All before the so-called watershed.

Phelan's storyline and Billy's drug addiction are quite explicit, and I don't tune into Coronation Street to be informed or depressed.

I watch to be entertained!