CORONATION Street had a royal visitor on the cobbles ahead of the dramatic acid attack storyline.
On Monday, the Princess Royal visited ITV Studios Coronation Street to meet cast and members of the production team involved in the soap opera’s upcoming acid attack storyline.
Her Royal Highness attended as Patron of The Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI), who have been advising the programme’s producers and writers.
Coronation Street decided to tell this story to highlight the devastating impact and long lasting effects of such heinous attacks.
The ITV soap has been working alongside ASTI on the storyline where Daisy (Charlotte Jordan) has fallen victim to a stalker, Justin (Andrew Still), who is convinced he is in a relationship with her.
Justin’s behaviour led him to be arrested, but he is released on bail.
In dramatic scenes that will air next week, Daisy becomes the target of a sinister acid attack on her wedding day to Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard).
Justin, in an act of revenge, goes to the Rovers to ruin her special day with a horrendous crime.
Upcoming scenes will see Daisy prepare to leave the Rovers Return to tie the knot with Daniel.
She looks a million dollars as she gets ready to leave The Rovers for a final time as Miss Midgeley.
Her friend Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) steps in as the wedding chauffeur.
Just as they’re both about to go, they’re horrified to find Justin lurking in the shadows at the pub.
Justin, who is holding a glass full of clear liquid, advances on Daisy as he throws acid at her.
The Princess Royal viewed some upcoming scenes before meeting with Producer Iain MacLeod and the cast members involved in the storyline.
Script writers, members of the story team and make-up department were also on hand to speak to HRH Princess Anne about working on the plotline.
The Royal party were also given a guided tour of the Coronation Street set lead by Series producer, Iain MacLeod and John Whiston, Head of ITV in the North/MD Continuing Drama.
Commenting on the visit, John said: “Working with ASTI on this storyline has been invaluable to all of us.
“HRH’s patronage of the charity is clearly of huge importance to both Her Royal Highness and the charity and it was an absolute honour to have them join us at Coronation Street today.
“The visit gave both cast and colleagues the chance to discuss how they have worked together to create and portray such a delicate and important storyline, an opportunity none of us will forget.”
Also in attendance were acid attack survivor Sammear Hussein, Mrs Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Councillor Chris Boyes Mayor of Trafford.
On the importance of tackling this storyline Corrie Producer Iain MacLeod said: “We were keen to show the long-term reality for people who are subjected to this kind of attack.
“It is something we might often read about in the papers but perhaps don’t fully understand, in terms of the depth and variety of effects it can have.
“As well as the medical impacts, we explore the social fallout of having your appearance profoundly changed, both in terms of your own ability to process that and how the wider world reacts to you.
“The story will at times be heartbreaking but we felt it was an important one to tell.”
Charlotte who plays Daisy Midgely added: “When I was first told about this storyline, I really didn’t see this coming. It’s not something you see a lot on television so I was really surprised.
“There is a fear lurking in the back of Daisy’s mind since Justin was released on bail. She has always been thinking, “will Justin retaliate in some way?”
“Seeing him again after he has been warned multiple times by officials to stay away from her, she is certainly scared of how he is going to react.
“I don’t think Daisy really thought about how obsessed Justin was going to become.”
