Coronation Street have teased Max Turner's exit next week amid his extremism storyline.
Things came to a head on the ITV soap earlier this month when Griff was finally arrested for his terrible crimes, whilst his far right extremist friends have also been arrested too. Max was groomed by the gang and encouraged into their lifestyle after struggling to fend off his bullies, with evil Griff stepping in and earning Max's trust and friendship.
Now, spoilers for next week on the soap have revealed an exit could be on the cards for Max as he is charged for his part in what happened, with the police deciding to charge him with Encouragement of Terrorism.
Max's father David Platt - played by Jack P Shepherd - has been desperate to try and help his son, but he's dealt a blow next week when his son's solicitor got in touch by e-mail to confirm Max's charge has been escalated. David is concerned as he tells Gail and Stephen that he is now being charged for encouragement of terrorism.
Harriet, Max's solicitor, calls at the house and is determined to fight the charges on his behalf, insisting the teenager was groomed by Griff and is very much a victim in all of what happened with Griff and his friends.
David is pleased to have Harriet working alongside the family. He's keen to raise funds to pay for the solicitor - but will he be able to?
Later in the week, David reveals to Maria that Max isn't taking his calls as he struggles with the news of the charges. Alya tries to reassure him that he's not to blame for what happened with Max. It's later revealed that Max has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, but will he receive jail term and does that mean an exit is on the cards for the teenager?
The extremism storyline began late last year, with Coronation Street Producer Iain MacLeod revealing it would come to a "shocking and thought-provoking climax" and that the story's focus is on "communication within families".
He said: "Overall, Max's story is one about the grooming of a vulnerable teenager at a point where he's feeling most alienated and disenfranchised. The story will encompass the "traditional" recruitment techniques of extremists groups, and we'll see Max befriended in person by older, mentor-like figures that will give him a sense of loyalty and brotherhood.
"Then, later in the story, we will explore a very 21st Century problem: teenagers self-radicalising through watching extreme content online. In the end, we wanted this to be a story about communication within families - what are the right and wrong ways to talk to younger family members who are gravitating towards extreme views? For the conclusion of the story, David's misjudged attempts to deal with Max will drive the narrative to a shocking and thought-provoking climax."
