Coronation Street villain Griff Reynolds is set to reach new frightening lows on the ITV soap next week, as he turns on Alya Nazir.
The character appeared in Weatherfield earlier this year as part of a new racism storyline, which has seen Max Turner, played by Paddy Bever, become embroiled in the shady group.
Max has been radicalised by the extremist group, with his new girlfriend Lauren now influencing him as Griff’s gang groom the teen.
The storyline over the coming weeks and months will feature Max becoming more disillusioned with life and his family and more manipulated by Griff.
Griff will also use Max's computer and editing skills to help fuel and spread their far-right messages.
ITV spoilers have now revealed that Griff is set to threaten Alya on the soap, after she gets him fired.
Alya confronts Griff over his racist comments and threatens to call his employer, only for Griff ominously to warn her that if she does as she says, she will regret it.
The storylines continues when Griff furthers his agenda by making out he was attacked by four Muslim lads.
On Griff’s instruction, Max uploads a video of Griff’s injuries to the internet alongside a grotesque racist commentary.
This comes after Ofcom confirmed additional complaints from ITV viewers, which they said ‘related to the racial violence storyline’.
The soap has already aired shocking scenes of Daryan Zahawi being attacked by the gang as their hateful motives begin to become clearer to the residents of Coronation Street.
Undercover police officer Spider Nugent is already trying to bring the gang down, while David Platt has already warned Max to be careful around Griff, but to no avail.
The storyline was announced earlier this year, when Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod 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.”
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV.
Got any theories or thoughts on the storyline? Let us know in the comments section below.
