Coronation Street stars fear Remembrance Day poppy 'joke' anger

[Perdita]

Corrie stars are expecting a furious backlash over a sick Remembrance Day episode mocking the deaths of brave British Service men and women.

They fear bad boy Gary Windass will spark outrage by poking fun at old soldier Ted Page for wearing a Royal British Legion poppy.

Copper-haired Gary, played by Mikey North, tells Gail Platt's dad: "Must be a nice little earner, 'em poppies. They must cost hardly anything to make."

Ted replies: "That's the point. The profit goes to the servicemen and women" But Gary adds: "You could still make a killing out of it on the side," before adding, "No pun intended."

An ITV1 source said: "Bosses should be braced for a ferocious backlash.

"A lot of older viewers will be horrified.

"We can't get our heads around the sick words. It seems the bosses are determined to run with it whatever the upset."

From Daily Mirror

[LostVoodoo]

tbh, a character like Gary Windass would probably think that. its hardly the end of the world.

[Bad Wolf]

doesnt the character reflect the ignorance in society?

[alan45]

A viewer with an ounce of gumption would realise that that Mikey North is only saying what his character Gary would say. Im sure when the story airs it will be well balanced and there will be something to show the real sacrifice behind the humble poppy.

[alan45]

Coronation Street bad boy Gary Windass is joining the Army - making him the cast's first serving soldier in nearly 50 years of the soap.

Bigmouth Gary, played by Mikey North, 22, pours scorn on the nation's war victims then has an attack of conscience and dons a uniform.

Corrie fans will see him in a shock scene in November mocking Gail Platt's dad Ted for wearing a poppy.


Ginger-haired Gary sneers: "If a load of losers want to get themselves blown to smithereens for nothing that's their lookout."

He tells Ted that poppies "must be a nice little earner, they cost hardly anything to make".

Bosses at the ITV1 soap expect some viewers will be outraged by the insult - but the character makes amends after Ted (Michael Byrne) takes him to task.

Gary - who did time for burgling Audrey Roberts's house - visits an Army recruitment office and stuns everyone by joining.

A show insider said: "Producers are braced for a flood of complaints about his sick attack on those who have given their lives.

"But Ted's response sets Gary thinking and he completely changes his views after a visit to the recruitment centre."

In an episode to be screened in December, Gary tells his mum Anna (Debbie Rush): "One of the instructors thought I had something and that I was the sort of lad the Army needs."

The soap source said: "Corrie has always reflected real-life issues and this is one that touches many families today."

Former Street favourite Jim McDonald (Charles Lawson) was a sergeant but had left the Army before arriving in Weatherfield

[Perdita]

Does this mean the character is leaving Corrie, to just come back once in a while to visit?

[Katy]

Thats a good idea, having the link between the two.

[lizann]

If he is joining the army - does this mean he leaves?

[Perdita]

That is what I am asking too, not heard he is leaving, maybe he is like Amber, visiting once in a while. Or he gets posted to somewhere nearby.