Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon says teen grooming storyline ‘is disturbing’ but it’s vital to cover issue in ITV soap
Lucy says the soap is highlighting a danger which can save children from predators
CORRIE star Lucy Fallon has told how “disturbing” scenes on the soap which see her schoolgirl character groomed for sex made her skin crawl.
Vulnerable Bethany Platt, 16, is at the centre of a harrowing exploitation storyline which has drawn inspiration from horrors such as the Rochdale sex ring.
Actress Lucy, 21, said she was left sickened after reading her scripts for the first time.
But she revealed she has now embraced the harrowing plot — and even hopes the scenes will get darker if they help real-life victims who might be watching.
Lucy told The Sun on Sunday: “The storyline is disturbing. It has been really uncomfortable to film.
“This week we read through the first scene where Nathan Curtis — Bethany’s much older boyfriend — will pass her on to one of his friends for sex as a favour.
“She isn’t raped, she agrees to have sex with the guy, but only because Nathan tells her it is normal and that this is what adult relationships are really like.
“When I read that, it made my skin crawl. It was horrible.
“I’m sure some people will say scenes like this shouldn’t be on TV before the watershed. But it’s really important that it is, because we want young girls to watch.
“They might think, ‘Maybe what’s happening to me isn’t normal’, or parents might start talking to their daughters about a relationship.
"The fact it’s such an important storyline makes it easier to do.
“I’m hoping the scenes get even darker because they need to do justice to the girls who have gone through this, and are still going through it.
“It needs to go to a dark place otherwise we’re not doing it properly.”
Millions of viewers this week watched Bethany fall further under the spell of twisted Nathan (actor Chris Harper) after he took her virginity.
But the naive teenager has no idea he aims to “pimp her out” to older friends in one of the most sinister storylines the ITV soap has ever taken on.
And in preparation for the scenes, counsellors introduced Lucy and Chris to a real-life victim who had been groomed online then sexually abused.
The 20-year-old’s name has been changed to Lucie to protect her identity.
And Lucy told how her account was so disturbing that she broke down in tears. The actor said: “Lucie’s story was really horrific and at one point I got quite upset.
"I was really crying. It was horrible knowing this can happen to people in real life.
“Even though these scenes might be awful and people aren’t going to like them, it is so important that Corrie gives the victims a voice.”
While Lucy realises the importance of raising awareness about sex exploitation, she admits filming the powerful scenes affected her personally.
And she said her own family will find them very difficult to watch.
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Lucy said: “Some of the scenes can be very hard to shake off. There’s nothing you can do to cope with it — it’s just horrid.
“But I have a long drive home after work so I put my music on and try to switch off.
“I also have a very supportive boyfriend and family, so I can always talk to them.
"My nan isn’t going to watch the storyline and I think my dad will find it difficult.
“He has watched so far without saying, ‘This is too much’. But I think he probably will when it gets a lot darker.”
Lucy, who is dating salesman Tom Leech, went on: “I don’t have younger sisters — I’m the baby of the family — but doing this story would make you more protective.
“If I have kids I will be a nightmare now — I will want to read everything on their phones.”
She added: “Bethany ends up being trapped by Nathan, and things do get very dark.
“She is going to be suffering the after-effects of what happens to her for a very long time.
“But to me, it is really important that she does come out of the other side so that any victims who might be watching can believe that it is possible.”
- IF you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999 or call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.
If you suspect or discover that a young person is being sexually exploited, you can contact the NSPCC in confidence to discuss your concerns.
Alternatively, contact your local police or children’s services.
Children or young people with concerns about themselves or a friend can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 1111 or visit .