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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Everett

Coronation Street hit by Ofcom complaints over 'disgusting' racism storyline

Coronation Street has been hit with Ofcom complaints over a racism storyline viewers have dubbed "disgusting".

The ITV soap received complaints after airing a story last week about one character being radicalised by extremists.

Ofcom has revealed that the show got 139 complaints from viewers about the storyline involving young Max Turner.

Max, who is played by Paddy Bever in the ITV programme, was seen being radicalised by Griff Reynolds, played by Angela Griffin.

He has now been influenced by new girlfriend Lauren into her racist ways which has shocked viewers.

Max was showed a disturbing propaganda film against Muslims ahead of him defending his girlfriend against Alya after she came to him concerned about Lauren's racist behaviour.

Fans were left shocked at the intense storyline and took to Twitter to talk about Max being radicalised.

One person wrote: "This storyline with Max is horrible. I know it goes on but it’s genuinely awful!"

While a second tweeted: "Max, you're smarter than this... I hoped," as another said: "Max is becoming radicalised and it's scary to watch."

With a fourth waring the character: "Max, open your eyes and smell the coffee because Griff and Lauren are brainwashing and grooming you."

The story progressed when Max turned on a refugee from Iraq, which also led to Ofcom complaints.

Ofcom revealed 139 complaints on November 16, which they said "related to the racial violence storyline".

Max was bullied and isolated when he first came face to face with Griff, before he was invited to join the gang.

The storyline follows Griff grooming Max, which leads to him being part of the gang.

Max's new 'friends' are trying to turn him against Muslims and his former employers at Speed Daal.

His girlfriend Lauren is gaining influence on Max as well as sleeping with him to secure his loyalty, despite disagreeing with some of Griff's views herself.

However, to add to the already dramatic storyline, some viewers are convinced that Lauren could be Max's half sister.

She was mistaken for Kelly Neelan which has prompted fans to come up with the theory.

Fans took to Twitter to talk about the resemblance between the characters.

One said: "I thought that girl was Kelly then," as another added: "Lauren is the new Kelly!"

While a third wrote: "What the multiverse of Kelly Neelan is going on with that girl?"

"Is this new girl Kelly 2.0?" someone questioned, with another saying: "That girl looks just like Kelly."

Coronation Street airs weekdays from 8pm on ITV

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