‘Coronation Street’ is set to air an historic sex abuse storyline about Peter Ash’s character Paul Foreman.
The upcoming plot will explore the devastating effects such a horrific incident can have within a family, with Gemma Winter’s (Dolly-Rose Campbell) world torn apart when it’s revealed her twin brother Paul was sexually abused by their stepfather Kel (Joe Alessi).
The siblings’ stepdad comes back into their lives in the coming weeks when their mum Bernie (Jane Hazlegrove) is reunited with her ex, but it becomes obvious Paul is unnerved by the return.
As a young teenager, he was abused by Kel and the innocent boy was groomed into believing it was a consensual relationship.
However, when Paul’s partner Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank)) discovers what happened and points out he was a young child and was sexually abused, the storyline will see Paul struggle to come to terms with what happened, and he ultimately fight for justice.
‘Corrie’ boss Iain MacLeod said: "Gemma and Paul’s family background has always been fascinating to me – the inseparable bond of twins but with a huge fault-line down the middle, which we’ve hinted at but never explained.
"This story sensitively explores something that is tragically all too common in families in the real world and will highlight the way these painful events still reverberate many years later.
"It will, I hope, allow people who have survived similar abuse and perhaps suffered in silence to find their voice and speak up.
"It will also showcase the brilliant talents of Peter Ash, Dolly-Rose Campbell, Jane Hazlegrove and ‘Corrie’ newcomer Joe Alessi in some incredibly challenging, powerful scenes. I am very proud of this story."
Peter revealed he worked with Survivors Manchester to research the storyline, and he also asked co-star Jack P. Shepherd for advice.
He added: "I have known about this storyline for some time so have had the opportunity to speak to Duncan Craig at Survivors Manchester in advance of filming which has been great.
"His experience was really similar to Paul’s so it was invaluable for me to be able to talk about all the conflicting emotions and not accepting or realising it was abuse until later on in life.
"I have also spoken to Jack P. Shepherd about how he found filming the male rape storyline and he told me about the increase in calls to Survivors Manchester off the back of it which is incredible. It’s an important storyline and I want to get it right."
Coronation Street to air historic sex abuse storyline
