The reality TV star asked the actor whether he really wanted her seven year old watching his famous child abuse storyline, before suggesting they went for an 8am drink live on air
NICOLA McLean clashed live on air with Coronation Street's Christopher Harper over whether the soap's plot had become too dark.
The reality TV star, 36, asked the actor - who plays Corrie's evil Nathan Curtis - whether he thought his child-grooming storyline was suitable for her seven-year-old son Striker to watch.
The model - who is married to footballer Tom Williams - said: "I'm a mother of two children. One's seven, one's 12. They don't go to bed before this time.
"I don't think it's something I want brought into my front room that's meant to be an entertainment show.
Christopher, 40, said: "The storyline that I was so affected by - the grooming storyline - that does come into your life.
"And it happens to children. Often they are lacking the vocabulary of the way they can even bring it up, because they're so shrouded in shame.
He continued: "And the same with a storyline that's coming up about male mental health.
"If you watch it on a soap it comes in a pre-watershed form, and in a way that's very careful monitored."
Nicola snapped back: "Do you really think that your grooming storyline. Which was harrowing - amazing - but harrowing. Do you really think that was acceptable for my seven-year-old to watch?"
Christopher replied: "A lot of seven-year-olds I know just thought I was nasty. But a lot of parents I know with teenage kids were able to bring up the conversation."
The pair appeared slightly more cheery with each other by the end of their debate, and Nicola - who is also mother to son Rocky,12, with her husband Tom - smiled as she suggested they should both go for a drink afterwards, despite it not even being 8am.
Christopher has been praised, along with actress Lucy Fallon, for their uncomfortable and shocking storyline involving a grooming ring on Coronation Street.
The character Nathan Curtis first appeared on the cobbles back in December 2016, finding Bethany (Lucy Fallon) crying and then passed out after overdosing on diet pills.
Nathan started a relationship with the vulnerable teen, and despite their huge age gap, Bethany lost her virginity to him.
He then held a party at his flat where he introduced Bethany to a room full of men, one of whom rapes her while Nathan does nothing.
Since taking on the role, Chris has been actively promoting the help the NSPCC provides in situations like the one Bethany's in - running the marathon in their name and even .
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