Viewers of Coronation Street have said they are complaining to Ofcom about a recent storyline which saw No.5 set on fire with Gemma Winter and her four babies inside.
In last night’s episode of the soap (January 20 2020), the mum-of-four decided to take a nap with her children whilst her fiancé Chesney went out to the shops.
However as he was out, a stranger wrote the word “paedo” across the living room window before pouring petrol through the letter box and lighting a rag on fire.
Luckily Chesney returned in time and saw the fire.
I’m reporting you to Ofcom, take action.
Abi Franklin managed to put it out and the babies were taken to hospital to be checked over.
However viewers were not impressed by the storyline, comparing it to the devastating arson attack which claimed the life of Michelle Pearson and her four children in Walkden, Salford, in the Greater Manchester area in 2017.
Michelle was seriously burned in the attack that killed her four children Demi, Brandon, Lacie and Lia.
Read More: Coronation Street viewers fed up of jealous Kevin as he makes cruel dig at Abi
Michelle was rescued by firefighters and rushed to hospital where she was placed in an induced coma.
Sadly, 20 months after the fire, Michelle also passed away from her injuries.
Viewers also compared it to the case of Mick Philpott, who was convicted of killing his six children, Jade, John, Jack, Jesse, Jayden and Duwayne at his Derby home in 2012 after setting it on fire.
Five of the children died at the scene and Duwayne died two days later in hospital.
how can #corrie show someone starting a house fire with babies in after what happened in Walkden in December 2017 when four kids died in a real fire the script writers have reached a new low
— billmisiewicz (@bluebill158) January 20, 2020
@ITV Hi guys, the story of someone deliberately setting fire to a house full of children-did you get your inspiration from that scumbag Mick Philpott?? What a horrendous storyline, you should be ashamed. #Corrie
— Tom J (@ThomasJ67399213) January 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/Rozzy67/status/1219355848406900737
#Corrie sorry but this soap is shocking gone from a good soap to a murder and abuse programme. That fire storyline is gone to far kids up watching that. It's shocking that they would do something like this
— patriciabrowne (@Patricia3381) January 20, 2020
Not comfortable watching the fire with babies in the house #corrie
— Leigh (@leighley1) January 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/Rozzy67/status/1219348803096129537
Viewers also felt the storyline showed people how to set fire to a house.
Many tagged broadcasting regulator Ofcom and said they would be complaining to them.
@itv You should be thoroughly ashamed of using that explicit arson story line in #corrie tonight. It's meant to be a soap , not a guide to 'how to kill a family'. Made me feel sick. @Ofcom complaint incoming.
— Disenchanted Sandy (@sandy9866) January 20, 2020
How irresponsible of #corrie to show imbeciles how to set a house on fire, which echoes a recent real life case in Manchester when a whole family were wiped out. All this for viewing figures… Need reporting to ofcom.
— MandyMae (@MandyMae737) January 20, 2020
This HAS gone TOO far NOW!! @Ofcom
— Jamie Lewis Rennie (@JROfficialUK) January 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/Sias_Creations/status/1219349102233899009
https://twitter.com/Rozzy67/status/1219350967281504256
@itvcorrie you’ve just gone too far. Setting fire to a house with 4 babies in? What the hell?! I’m reporting you to @Ofcom take action!!
— CA (@westywaldo) January 20, 2020
A spokesperson for Coronation Street said: “Coronation Street has never shied away from tackling difficult issues and the vigilante attack in this week’s episode highlights the dangers of individuals taking the law into their own hands rather than leaving such matters to the proper authorities.”
ED! has contacted Ofcom for confirmation of complaints.
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!