Coronation Street sparks Ofcom fury over 'inappropriate' scenes

Ofcom has received numerous complaints from Coronation Street viewers. The ITV soap returned to its regular Friday night 8 p.m. slot with a shocking storyline twist. Carl Webster (played by Jonathan Howard), who is already having an affair with his sister-in-law, Abi Webster (Sally Carman), ends up in bed with James Bailey (Nathan Graham).

During the scene, James is shown waiting in bed, covered only by a duvet, while Carl wears nothing but a towel. This represents the sole intimate scene broadcast during that evening's episode. Following the programme's transmission, broadcasting watchdog Ofcom received 55 complaints from disgruntled viewers, with a spokesperson confirming to Express.co.uk that these concerned "related to sexual content shown pre-watershed."

The episode lasted one hour and concluded at 9 pm, the time after which broadcasters may show material potentially inappropriate for children. Earlier that week, Tracy Barlow branded Abi a "devious, mucky cow" after catching the pair in a clinch.

Abi and Carl's affair began when Abi learnt her husband had received the all-clear following his testicular cancer fight, but had concealed this from her.

However, in Friday's scenes, James and Carl were shown flirting in the pub whilst discussing a possible workout session together. Tracy, who's been extorting Carl and Abi for cash to fund her divorce after discovering their secret, turned up at Carl's hotel room and attempted to barge her way inside.

He managed to get shot of her, and when he shut the door, James, portrayed by Jason Calendrier, was lying in wait on the bed. Following their passionate encounter, they made plans to meet again.

The storyline appeared to strike a chord with devotees of the world's longest-running TV soap opera, who took to social media in droves.

One penned, "Carl's face as James lifted the bedsheets. I'm impressed and ready to dive in/on. Love it." Another commented, "Knew basically nothing about Coronation Street before this, but now I'm willing to watch every episode if they give us Carl and James."

One supporter felt the scenes weren't steamy enough, writing: "It happened two times, first when Carl went on top of James to make the viewers understand they are going to s***, and it cut right away. Then, when they finished and got their clothes back on, they went for a kiss that was interrupted. Those things don't work in 2025."

However, viewers took to social media to express their disapproval, arguing that the scene was inappropriate for younger viewers before the watershed. One viewer posted on a Facebook group: "Warning to viewers watching Corrie tonight, if you're letting young children in on the viewing there's Cassie and Steve caught in a compromising position. It was gross! Not very appropriate."

Another viewer added: "Think I might be scarred for life."

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV and ITVX.