Coronation Street viewers shared their shock online tonight (Monday) as an acid attack storyline was brought to life on screen. The ITV soap saw Ryan Connor take the full force of a glass of acid intended for bride Daisy Midgeley on her wedding day, in scenes some have termed 'horrendous'.
As Daisy prepared to marry Daniel Osbourne, Ryan stepped in to act as chauffeur after the wedding car was stolen. When the DJ went into the Rovers Return pub for barmaid Daisy, the pair were shocked to find her stalker Justin Rutherford inside.
Justin advanced on Daisy holding a glass full of clear liquid, telling her that no one would want her after this. As he threw the acid at Daisy, Ryan quickly stepped in between them and he was left screaming in agony on the floor, his skin burning, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Daisy called 999 and, having listened to the operator’s instructions, dragged Ryan into the shower and turned the water on. Finding scissors, a frantic Daisy cut the shirt off his back.
Viewers were stunned that Ryan took the brunt of the acid that was intended for Daisy. Taking to Twitter @LilyLlewellyn71 shouted: "#Ryan NOOOOO! Well THAT was a twist #Corrie. Not gonna lie! If Justin wasn't going down before, he definitely will now. Brilliant writing of late, #CoronationStreet. Bravo."
@LnSHarris gasped: "What the actual BLEEP just happened? I NEVER saw that twist coming." @ShivMRyan commented: "#Corrie. Now THAT'S a twist!"
@fluffyhairben said: "This is so traumatising seeing Ryan suffering like this im so sad." @kellilelliloola tweeted: "This is horrendous." @DavidMackayy said: "Ryan’s screams are absolutely horrendous." And @HopkinsNot commented: "This is so disturbing and upsetting. Acid attacks should be a minimum of 25 years in prison."
@Jonghopiesapple echoed: "That was such a disturbing scene! I don't know how the police are doing f all about that Justin, he's clearly very dangerous!!"
Working alongside The Katie Piper Foundation and Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI), the soap decided to tell this story to highlight the devastating impact and long lasting effects of such heinous attacks.
On the importance of tackling this storyline Coronation Street Producer Iain MacLeod said: “We were keen to show the long-term reality for people who are subjected to this kind of attack. It is something we might often read about in the papers but perhaps don’t fully understand, in terms of the depth and variety of effects it can have."
"As well as the medical impacts, we explore the social fallout of having your appearance profoundly changed, both in terms of your own ability to process that and how the wider world reacts to you. The story will at times be heartbreaking but we felt it was an important one to tell.”
