‘I can’t watch Corrie anymore’: Fans of Coronation Street slam its ‘disgusting’ racism storyline where Max Turner is being radicalised by Griff Reynolds

Fans of Coronation Street have slammed its ‘disgusting’ racism storyline where a young Max Turner is being radicalised by Griff Reynolds.

Max, who is played by Paddy Bever in the ITV soap, has been gradually groomed and radicalised by Griff, who is played by Michael Condron.

But the 16-year-old character’s storyline has been ‘a step too far’ for many viewers – after Ofcom received 139 complaints about his radicalisation.

Horrible: Fans of Coronation Street have slammed its ‘disgusting’ racism storyline where a young Max Turner is being radicalised by Griff Reynolds

The extremist ideology of Max’s girlfriend Lauren, has also influenced him to become worse in his racist ways.

In one episode, Max watched an alarming propaganda film which further encouraged him to go against Muslims.

After this, Lauren’s racist behaviour came into question when Alya approached Max with concerns about it.

But he used the information provided in the film to defend her actions. 

A lonely and vulnerable Max, played by Paddy Bever, is targeted by a gang of extremists ultimately putting his own life and that of his friends and family in danger.

Groomer: Max, who is played by Paddy Bever in the ITV soap, has been gradually groomed and radicalised by Griff, who is played by Michael Condron (pictured)

In an earlier episode on October 28th, viewers saw Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) confront eco activist Griff (Michael Condron) and his mates when he discovers that the band they have invited him to see are playing racist songs. 

Toyah (Georgia Taylor) tackled Spider (Martin Hancock) about the company he is keeping, unaware that he is an undercover cop who has infiltrated the gang to expose their activity.

In the following Monday’s episode (October 31st), Griff turned his attention to troubled Max who has been the victim of persistent school bullies since losing his place at Weatherfield High.

Griff steps in and threatens to teach the bullies a lesson and in doing so wins Max’s trust.

Story: Coronation Street will ‘highlight the issue of the grooming of disenfranchised and impressionable young men’ in a hard hitting storyline involving Max Turner

He invites Max to a Halloween party at his house telling the rest of the gang that he could be useful to their cause.

In the coming months as Max becomes more estranged from his family the teenager falls under the spell of Griff who uses Max’s video and computer skills to spread their racist propaganda.

When Max first came in contact with Griff, he was made to feel very isolated – but eventually was asked to join the gang alongside his girlfriend Lauren.

To ‘secure his loyalty’, Lauren has been sleeping with Max, causing him to fall deeper into the disgraceful ways of thinking.

Fans have been left in shock with the storyline which has been quite extreme in comparison to the usual soap dramas. 

Confrontation: Viewers recent saw Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) confront eco activist Griff (Michael Condron) and his mates when he discovered that the band they have invited him to see are playing racist songs

Some took to Twitter to complain of their upset over it, with many complaining that they will not be watching Coronation Street anymore.

One wrote: ‘I can’t watch Corrie any more.

‘I’ve been an avid fan for years and years but Max being radicalised is a step too far. Sorry. I’m out.’

Similarly, another said: ‘Sorry #Corrie I’m out. This Max storyline is not for me at all, Summer is boring beyond words & there’s just nothing making me want to watch anymore.’

Shocking: Max becomes more estranged from his family the teenager falls under the spell of Griff who uses Max’s video and computer skills to spread their racist propaganda

Someone else said: ‘This storyline with Max is horrible.

‘I know it goes on but it’s genuinely awful! #corrie #coronationstreet.’

Another fan wrote directly to the character: ‘Max, open your eyes and smell the coffee because Griff and Lauren are brainwashing and grooming you.’

Coronation Street Producer Iain MacLeod said of the storyline when it begun: ‘Overall, Max’s story is one about the grooming of a vulnerable teenager at a point where he’s feeling most alienated and disenfranchised.

‘The story will encompass the ‘traditional’ recruitment techniques of extremists groups, and we’ll see Max befriended in person by older, mentor-like figures that will give him a sense of loyalty and brotherhood.

Disgust: Fans have been left in shock with the storyline which has been quite extreme in comparison to the usual soap dramas

‘Then, later in the story, we will explore a very 21st Century problem: teenagers self-radicalising through watching extreme content online.

‘In the end, we wanted this to be a story about communication within families – what are the right and wrong ways to talk to younger family members who are gravitating towards extreme views?’

Similarly, someone else said: ‘Max, you’re smarter than this… I hoped.’

Written alongside a meme clip of a man saying, ‘I want this man to be no more’, someone else added: ‘Me watching Griff get away with more and more s*** and bring Max down with him.’

More Ofcom complaints were lodged when Max turned against a refugee from Iraq.

The TV regulator said that the 139 complaints ‘related to the racial violence storyline’. 

Source: Read Full Article