CORONATION Street fans we’re left gobsmacked during tonight’s episode as activist Griff Reynolds.
The ITV soap opera opened tonight with Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoigne) and Spider Nugent (Martin Hancock) discussing the gig that Griff had invited them to.
Peter had been wary to mention anything to do with mysterious eco-warrior Griff in front of his disapproving wife Carla (Alison King) who has openly discussed her reservation toward Griff following the protest at Underworld.
Peter decided to lie to Carla about him going to the gig in order to spare himself any cross words from his wife.
Spider had also been acting strangely about the concert including ordering his girlfriend Toyah Battersby to stay away.
The three eventually get to the gig but not until after Peter had a pop at David Platt about his son Max causing problems on the street earlier.
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Things don’t get off to an easy start for Peter as the trio arrive as Griff’s mates immediately begin to refer to Peter as an alcoholic and make uncomfortable remarks that they play off as banter.
Griff insinuates to Peter that he has told his friends a lot about him as he awkwardly says: “Yeah, you’re a bit of a celeb – shall we start by saying hello, save the interrogations until later?”
It soon starts to become evident that the gig isn’t all as it seems as Griff’s friends inform Peter that there is an open mic for speakers after the event and suggest he might be up for it.
Later on, Peter is seen storming out of the gig alongside Spider.
Peter said to Spider: “Did you hear what they were singing, did you hear the lyrics?”
A clearly nervous Spider insists he wasn’t ‘listening’ as the rest of the gang rushed outside to see what the fuss was about.
A visibly shocked Peter said: “The band in there were racist and they were all singing along.”
Peter chooses to leave realising that Griff was bad news as he asked Peter if he is ‘against freedom of speech’.
Corrie viewers were quick to realise that Griff was actually the forefront of a group who were raising funds to spread extreme and controversial views leaving them flabbergasted.
After threatening the gang with the Police, Peter is soon caught in a punch-up with one of the members before Spider quickly hurried him away.
As the news spreads to Carla and Toyah, Spider is seen lurking in a dark alleyway as it becomes clear that as part of his undercover police role he is trying to get information out of Griff and his gang.
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Spider eventually heads over to Griff’s flat where they are all hanging out as Griff tells him: “You cross me and you’ll wish you stayed with the wokemeister.”
Fans of the show were left horrified at what Griff was up to with one saying: “Stay clear of Griff in the future Peter he is dangerous.”
A second wrote: “I guess Griff isn’t a climate activist after all. He’s a right-wing racist.”
A third added: “What dimwits these silly racists are! #Corrie.”
It is just the beginning for Griff’s horrific storyline as he soon encourages young Max to join the group as part of an upcoming grooming storyline.
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The troubled youngster – who is played by actor Paddy Bever in the ITV soap – will find himself targeted by a gang of extremists ultimately putting his own life and that of his friends and family in danger.
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV.
