*Trigger warning: some readers may find parts of this article upsetting.*
David Platt’s latest dramatic storyline will start on Coronation Street next week, the show’s bosses have confirmed.
Viewer favourite David, who has been played by Jack P Shepherd for over 17 years, will be the victim of rape after a new character arrives in Weatherfield.
Friendly newcomer Josh (Ryan Clayton), will win over Tyrone and get a job at the garage. He integrates himself into the community and forms a close friendship with David.
It’s thought the attack itself will not be shown – instead, we’ll see David waking up the morning after a night out in Josh’s bed to find he’s been drugged and realise what’s happened.
The storyline will focus on David coming to terms with what has happened, including deliberating over whether to report it.
“With Josh still on the street, David struggles to deal with the shame of what has happened to him, a source told the Mirror.
“This is a big storyline for Jack and everyone is determined to get it right.”
The show’s producers have worked with Survivors Manchester, a sexual assault charity, to fine-tune the storyline.
It’s the first time in Coronation Street‘s 57-year history that it’ll tackle the subject of male rape, a topic that EastEnders shied away from five years ago over concerns that it was too dark a topic for pre-watershed TV.
Hollyoaks has featured the issue more than once though; first all the way back in 2000 when Luke Morgan was attacked.
Josh will make his first appearance on the cobbles on January 26.
For information and support around sexual assault, visit RapeCrisisHelp.ie or ReachOut.com.
