‘Coronation Street’ star Ian Bartholomew has admitted his coercive control storyline has been a "tough and emotionally draining ride".
The 65-year-old actor – who has played Geoff Metcalfe on the cobbles since 2018 – has opened up on the ongoing plot, which has seen his character manipulating and abusing Shelley King’s alter ego Yasmeen Nazir.
He said: "You can’t help feeling proud when you learn how people are responding to this storyline.
"It’s been a tough and emotionally draining ride, but the thing that’s kept Shelley King who plays Yasmeen, and myself going, is the responsibility we have as actors to tell the story of these two unhappy and lonely people, and to shine a light on the terrible and cowardly crime of coercive control.
"To be a part of the team of writers, storyliners, producers and actors addressing such an important issue in ‘Coronation Street’, a well-loved and hugely popular programme, is a privilege.
"Knowing that we are helping women and men who are affected by this kind of abuse in some way, and making our general audience more aware of it at the same time, is reward enough in itself."
However, Ian was also quick to point out that while it’s been tough to portay Geoff at times, it is nothing compared to the struggles of people suffering in abusive relationships "in real life".
He added: "I’d like to say that while it’s been hard to do, acting out this storyline on TV can’t get anywhere even slightly close to knowing what it’s like to be the victim in an abusive relationship of this nature in real life.
"When Shelley and I finish work at the end of the day, we can go home and leave it all behind us.
"Sadly, anybody living with an abusive partner can’t, because they’re in the midst of having to deal with it every single hour of every single day. We must all spare a thought for them, and offer help if, and when we can."