Shelley King says Coronation Street’s coercive control storyline needs to be a "difficult watch" otherwise it would be "doing a disservice" to real-life victims.
The 64-year-old star’s character Yasmeen Metcalfe has been psychologically abused by her husband, Geoff Metcalfe – played by Ian Bartholomew – for months, and while some viewers have found it too tough to watch, she insisted the plot needs to be "uncomfortable" to portray the "horrible situation" realistically.
She said: "Any drama worth its salt should challenge you, so I think it’s very brave to deal with a subject as dark and bleak as this, involving an older person. It’s an important story to tell.
"It’s got to be an uncomfortable watch. It’s an uncomfortable and horrible situation. I think we would be doing a disservice to the people this has really happened to – and is happening too – if it wasn’t a difficult watch."
Shelley – who was racially abused when she first came to Britain from India, where she was born – has been approached by women in the street who tell her their "friend" has been a victim, but she believes many of the people who recount their "pal’s" story are the actual victims.
She added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Often people don’t admit it.
"They’ll stop me in the street and say that this has happened to a friend, but it’s quite obvious from the emotional way they speak that it’s actually happening to them.
"I’ve had letters too, from people in coercive relationships for 30-odd years.
"One woman got out of the relationship, which was a positive thing and people have approached the ‘Coronation Street’ advice page for help after seeing what Yasmeen is going through.
"So there is light at the end of the tunnel – there are people who have survived this and made other lives for themselves."
Shelley recently admitted she is concerned for people trapped with domestic abusers during the coronavirus lockdown.
She said: "I was really worried about news articles that domestic abuse cases are rising during the coronavirus lockdown.
"People are locked together – I don’t know quite how to approach that but the National Domestic Violence Helpline is 24-hour resource and can be called on 0808 2000 247.
"I’ve heard many stories since this story started – people have told me about relationships with their own partners, some of which they’re still in."
Shelley King: Corrie coercive control plot has to be an ‘uncomfortable watch’
