Bethany Platt

[tammyy2j]

The wife and kids line sounded a tale for Bethany's benefit. , tammy, but a guy like him ?

Could be with Nathan , getting Bethany to find her passport, entice her for a holiday abroad ? bet he knows traffickers to sell her to. Don't think he'd risk anything more close to home. The police liaison officer mentioned something that a bail condition for Nathan was to have no contact with Bethany.

He showed up where she lives with her family last night

[Perdita]

Does Neil really have a wife and kids himself?

Also does Nathan try and sell his girls abroad?

I would not be surprised if he has a wife and kids... or at least an ex-wife

[Perdita]

Warning: The following article contains discussion of grooming and sexual violence that some readers may find upsetting.

Coronation Street's controversial grooming storyline involving Bethany Platt has been one of the most talked-about soap plots of the year.

Sleazy salon owner Nathan Curtis has manipulated the vulnerable schoolgirl for months, making her fall for him, isolating her from her family, making her reliant on him, then ensnaring the unsuspecting teen into a sick sex ring and forcing her to sleep with other men at sinister "parties". As Bethany became trapped in her abuser's web, it's made for grim but gripping viewing.

Early controversy questioning whether a soap should even be tackling such topics has given way to widespread praise as the plot has unfolded, even in the broadsheet press, and drawn attention to a difficult and sensitive subject.

As the story reaches a dramatic peak this week, here are five reasons why it's been one of the most compelling – and important – soap stories of 2017.


1. It's tackled an important topic

Sexual grooming of young girls is not a ratings-grabbing, sensationalised soap fantasy – unfortunately it's a very real thing. Charities including the NSPCC have commended Corrie for showing how predatory older people like nasty Nathan abuse young victims such as Bethany, showering them with flattery and attention to reel them in before turning on them and revealing their true agenda.

The storyline was inspired by real-life cases that hit the headlines, such as the Rochdale scandal (also the basis for recent BBC drama Three Girls), where underage girls were groomed to be part of a child sex ring and the local authorities did nothing for months.

Hopefully, Corrie's story will encourage victims to come forward and seek help, and increase awareness of the dangers girls like Bethany are at risk from.


2. It's been a masterclass in brilliant storytelling


Talk about a slow burner – the roots of the storyline stretch right back to Bethany's bullying and crush on older guy Gary Windass last year, as well as her body and self-esteem issues and use of diet pills, which led to the overdose at Christmas where she collapsed in the ginnel, which led to Nathan finding her... And that was just laying the groundwork.

Corrie is telling a story in a way unique to soap by taking its time, digging deeper into the characters' motivations and making the audience more emotionally engaged.

Months went by as we watched charming Nathan woo Bethany and while there was clearly something off about him, we – like his victim – failed to see his true colours until it was too late. Nathan's chilling calculation into slowly getting vulnerable, innocent Bethany exactly where he wanted her has been mirrored by the perfect, precision plotting.

When questioned in private about proposing to Bethany, Nathan casually smirked how the engagement ring "will be on another dumb kid's finger in a month". He's known all along where this story has been going – right up to the terrifying moment this week when he planned to sell Bethany abroad into sex slavery.

3. It's tapped into the history of the Platts


Delving into the Platt clan's past has put Bethany's situation into context, making her manipulation more tragically believable. With all the goings-on at No.8 in recent years – Callum Logan's murder, Sarah's breakdown, Kylie's death – it's no wonder Bethany felt lost.

Meeting suave older man Nathan, she was desperate to prove she wasn't just a little kid, but it was that emotional immaturity and need for affection that allowed her to be taken advantage of.

Viewers were also reminded of how Sarah fell prey to an online pervert when she was around her daughter's age; vulnerable at being a mum at the age of 14, lonely Sarah met a paedophile online posing as a teenager and ended up being held hostage in his house. Having gone through a similar experience, Sarah's guilt at failing to protect her daughter has been heartbreaking.

4. The acting has been phenomenal


Lucy Fallon has come into her own at the centre of all this and deserves all the awards and praise surely coming her way. Taking Bethany on a difficult journey from wide-eyed innocence, to the flutterings of first love, to finally fragile fear as the haunted victim of coercion and sexual assault, she's made fans care so much about the character that we've been shouting at the screen as she fell deeper into danger.

It's also reminded us how great Tina O'Brien is – a kid herself when she portrayed Sarah's teenage pregnancy all those years ago, it's interesting to see her coping as the mum of a young adult in a horrifying situation.

But perhaps the hardest job has been Christopher Harper's, who has hit just the right notes as evil Nathan. Charismatic, seductive, sinister and terrifying – sometimes all in the same scene – it's been an amazing, unnerving performance.

5. That scene with Mary...


Special mention must go to Mary Taylor stealing the show and almost saving the day – Monday's emotional exchange between her and Bethany as the kooky florist relived her own experience of being raped as a teenager was brilliantly handled and responsibly showed support is out there for anyone in Bethany's situation.

Who didn't cheer when Mary took on Nathan as he bundled scared Bethany into his car? While she couldn't stop the girl getting away, it was undoubtedly Mary's wise words that made Ms Platt question this sinister scenario. And again, fine work from Patti Clare, showing there's more to "mad" Mary than killer one-liners as she's tying a posy at Preston's Petals.

For more information on the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and how they can help you or someone who you know is in need, please click here.

Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of sexual violence. If you've been affected by the issues raised in Bethany's storyline, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.


Digital Spy


I don't often agree with DS but I do in this case!

[Ruffed_lemur]

Loved the scene with Mary. Really seemed to help Bethany.

[Perdita]

Warning: The following article contains discussion of grooming and sexual violence that some readers may find upsetting.

Coronation Street's powerful child grooming plot will end with dramatic trial scenes, if the rumours are to be believed.

The Mirror reports that Nathan Curtis will be put on trial for his sex ring crimes, and Bethany Platt will eventually be convinced to give evidence against him via video link.

As we've seen with his friend Neil in the police force, Nathan has plenty of friends in high places. Will be able to wiggle his way out of this one or will he finally get his comeuppance?

Of course, this is all unconfirmed for now, so we'll have to keep watching to see what happens.

Recent episodes have seen Bethany escape from Nathan as he tried to take her to another country to sell her abroad, but Neil is still around and trying to keep her quiet.

Corrie producer Kate Oates recently confirmed that Bethany would be taking some power back when she finally sees Nathan's true colours.

She said: "What is nice about where this storyline goes is that when the scales do fall from Bethany's eyes, and she does realise it's not right, she takes some power back.

"We see Bethany being active in saving herself rather than just being told. It's a story for feminists – I really wanted her to take some of that power back."

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV.

For more information on the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and how they can help you or someone who you know is in need, please click here.

Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of sexual violence. If you've been affected by the issues raised in Bethany's storyline, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.


Digital Spy

[mariba]

I want that Neil to get caught as well.

[Perdita]

I want that Neil to get caught as well.

I am pretty sure he will join Nathan in the Accused Dock

[mariba]

I actually want Neil to be caught more than Nathan. Like Bethany said, 'it's even worse that he's a policeman'.

[Cheetah]

I actually want Neil to be caught more than Nathan. Like Bethany said, 'it's even worse that he's a policeman'.

Think Craig will have something to do with it - he's already trying to work out what Bethany meant by her cryptic (but drunken) remark.

[Perdita]

Warning: This article contains discussion of grooming, which some readers may find upsetting.

Coronation Street heaps more heartache on Bethany Platt and her family next week as they're told that there won't be any justice in her sexual exploitation case.

Bethany (Lucy Fallon) recently made a brave move as she finally reported evil Nathan Curtis to the police for grooming her, but it seems that her troubles are still far from over.

Next week's Corrie episodes see Bethany confide in her new friend Mary Taylor by admitting that she's dreading Nathan's court case.

Mary assures Bethany that she's done the right thing by reporting Nathan, but the Platts later learn that there won't actually be a court case at all.




This is because the authorities have decided there isn't enough evidence to press charges against Nathan, leaving him free to strike again by targeting other vulnerable girls.

Still full of self-loathing after her ordeal, Bethany tells the Platts that the outcome is all her own fault for being "so gullible and stupid" in the first place.

Sarah and Mary are both left wishing they could do something more to help Bethany, but it's Sarah who takes the bull by the horns by vowing to speak to the "friendly police officer" who's previously been involved in the case.

The "friendly" guy in question is actually sleazy Neil Clifton, who is involved in the sex ring and has been abusing his position in the police to keep his criminal associates out of trouble.

Could Sarah be unwittingly bringing fresh danger to the Platts' doorstep by getting Neil involved again?

And after recent tabloid reports claimed that there will ultimately be a trial for Nathan which will bring about his final comeuppance, could new evidence still come to light?

Coronation Street airs these scenes on Friday, July 7 at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.

Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of sexual violence. If you've been affected by the issues raised in Bethany's storyline, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Digital Spy