The praise came pouring in for Coronaton Street on Monday night (March 27) as fans were calling for the ITV soap to 'sweep all the awards' over harrowing acid attack scenes, but others said they were left 'haunted' by Ryan Connor's agonised screams. Hearts were breaking for Ryan as the DJ took the force of a glass of acid intended for Daisy Midgeley on her wedding day.
Daisy's stalker Justin Rutherford was lurking in the shadows at the Rovers Return as the pair locked up the pub ahead of her wedding. As Justin hurled the acid in Daisy's direction, Ryan stepped in.
The character, played by Ryan Prescott, was writhing and screaming while Daisy called 999 and was instructed to get him into the shower. Ryan explained about the scenes: "The cold water is to numb nerve endings and cool the acid. You have to go to nearest water source and keep a constant stream of water to allow you to save some of the facial tissue."
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Viewers took to social media to say they were expecting not to sleep after the episode. @groganhj tweeted: "So awful to watch, especially to hear Ryan's screams. Corrie at it's best. Such fantastic acting, so traumatic." And @martierae77 said: "I can't stop thinking of Ryan's screams.....haunting and unreal...."
@PouncerSD wrote: "I sat and cried after watching tonight’s Corrie. Utterly heart breaking and terrifying to watch. They must have felt so drained after filming that. Massive kudos to those involved in such a harrowing episode. The acting was superb. I can’t get Ryan’s screams out my head."
And @itsthathannah commented: "Just wow at @CharlieJordanxo and @ryanaprescott acting. This episode deserves all of the awards. I’m not going to sleep tonight from Ryan’s screams." The Talk of the Street podcast @corriepodcast said: "Caught up on #corrie. A harrowing, heartbreaking watch by any measure but done very well. "
They added: "I'd have preferred Daisy giving both barrels to Tinker rather than Swain, but overall Ryan's screams chilled me to my core. Amazed they could air it at 8pm, right enough."
However some viewers said they found it "too much." @skehina decided: "Too much turned off." And @MrRichDouglas said: "'With shocking scenes that some may find upsetting...' No it's not a horror movie or violent police drama, it's Corrie of course!"
Yanique Darke shouted on Facebook: "8.30pm! SOME CHILDREN ARE STILL AWAKE! What I've seen would traumatise an adult let alone a child." But Mark Galanzka clapped back: "Young children should be in bed by 7.30." Lorraine Grimes pointed out: "It was well advertised just turn it over." And Mark Parkin said: "There was a DISCLAIMER before the opening credits."
@JillHudson21 applauded: "#Corrie This is exactly what happens when the law doesn’t do it’s job - does not protect women or men from violent people.. This actually happens." And @b3n1b0y said: "I can guarantee some viewers will still complain saying it’s too graphic well guess what this actually happens in real life! It needs to be as real as possible! Well done."
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. To prepare for the storyline Ryan spoke to acid attack survivor Andreas Christopheros, who was left blind in one eye and is scarred for life after having a pint of sulphuric acid thrown in his face in an attack at his home in Cornwall in 2014.
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