
Coronation Street fans ‘complain to Ofcom' as they struggle to watch ‘inappropriate' and ‘too violent' scenes
The ITV soap said goodbye this week to killer villain Mick Michaelis in a shocking storyline.
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Killer Mick broke out of prison, intent on taking revenge on police officer and his former best mate Kit Green.
He beat Kit up, leaving him fighting for his life in hospital.
And then while hunting his children down in an attempt to flee, he threatened Sally Metcalfe as she tried to talk him down.
The grim scenes however have left some fans feeling like they want to complain.
One wrote: 'Those scenes with Mick are just not appropriate for a soap IMO.
'It was sickening to watch Mick always grab a tool of some kind and violently beat someone.
'Same with Lou. I had to put the sound down and fast forward because I don't get any entertainment from brutality.'
A second said: 'This show is more violent and full of misery than most crime thrillers.'
Another added: 'Can't forget about Mason too but to be honest the worst one was Rob beating Lisa up in the car, I thought that one was sickening to watch.'
A fourth commented: 'I thought the blood shot with it dripping through the metal grated floor a bit much for a soap.
'Like something out of a slasher movie.'
The storyline has led to the exit of actor Joe Layton as he finished his planned stint as Mick on the show.
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BBC News
4 minutes ago
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Inside the MasterChef crisis as Gregg Wallace, John Torode sacked
"Everyone is reeling."With his voice cracking, one MasterChef worker describes the drama of the past fortnight, which has seen both its presenters sacked in quick succession - first Gregg Wallace, and then John Torode."I'm in shock with it all. It's raw, and fresh," adds the member of production staff - who wants to remain months of near silence, recent events have moved at News has been speaking to people who have worked on the show, as well as insiders to the tense backroom discussions of recent weeks, and can reveal: Torode had nine complaints against him, including racist language, abusive language to junior production staff and sexual languageOnly one was upheld, for an incident on the set of MasterChef in 2018 when he used a severely offensive racist termInsiders reveal how a "defensive" production team tried to ride out the storm against Wallace to save his careerThe relationship between Wallace and Torode broke down and insiders say Wallace was briefing against TorodeTension between how production company Banijay and the BBC interpreted the findingsThe BBC intends to air the new series of MasterChef despite both presenters being sacked There was a long wait for the report into Wallace's conduct. The full version has not been made public, but an executive summary was published on revealed more than 40 claims against Wallace had been upheld, including one of unwelcome physical that night, Torode revealed an allegation that he had used "an extremely offensive racist term" had also been insisted he had "no recollection" of any of it, but by 5pm on Tuesday, he was at the top will claim action was taken swiftly and decisively. But behind the scenes, we can reveal there have been lengthy, pained discussions and extended tussles between the BBC and the show's production company Banijay over what to do, specifically about was hoped the report's publication would put an end to the crisis - but the events of this week have left both the BBC and Banijay facing even more questions. MasterChef team wanted to save Wallace For me, this all started a year ago, when I got a tip-off about a BBC presenter said to have been behaving badly - Gregg I mentioned his name to people in the industry, I was told it was "the biggest open secret in TV".After some digging and winning the trust of the people coming forward - mainly young female freelancers - BBC News revealed the allegations in November.I've been told by insiders that when the story broke, there was a sense that the MasterChef production team were defensive and wanted to ride out the who had worked with Wallace for years felt that responding would make it worse, hoping BBC News was just stirring up trouble and the story would go was a view that Wallace's career could be saved, and his worst behaviour was in the past. Others in the production team were in disbelief. A significant section of the report focuses on how few formal complaints were made, I have been told. This tallies with what freelancers said - they were worried about the repercussions of speaking the BBC corporate team, which has weathered many crises recently, could see what was brewing. They started to "get heavy" and demand action, and Banijay's leadership also realised they needed to get a was suspended and a law firm, Lewis Silkin, was hired to investigate. Attention then turned to the shows already in production. Could they carry on being filmed?There is a lesson here for the BBC, a source said. A long-running show with a close-knit team is both a strength and weakness."They know how to produce TV gold, year in and year out. But on the flip side, bad behaviour gets normalised and no one challenges it," they response, a Banijay spokesperson said that 94% of allegations upheld by the inquiry related to behaviour before 2018. They added that Banijay acquired Endemol Shine, which makes MasterChef, in 2020, and ways of reporting concerns "have improved exponentially in recent years". While Lewis Silkin carried out its inquiry, dozens more people approached BBC News with fresh claims about Wallace. BBC News is editorially independent from the wider corporation when it covers stories about the of those who came forward was a former MasterChef worker we are calling Alice, who says Wallace took his trousers down in front of her in a dressing contributed to the inquiry and says spending two hours with the lawyer, answering difficult questions, made things even was "no follow-up, no duty of care" from Banijay, she added. It is understood the production company disputes week, she and others who gave evidence received an email from Lewis Silkin, which BBC News has seen, telling them the inquiry was complete. The email also said it would not be providing individual feedback on specific said it was "deeply unsatisfactory" that she didn't find out whether her complaint had been upheld."I feel it's more than within our right to understand more about the investigation than what's shared in the news," she said. Torode faced complaints about behaviour on set The report into Wallace's conduct - which has taken eight months to compile - was widely expected back two Thursdays ago, but that day came and the scenes, frantic negotiations were under understand the BBC saw the findings and started asking questions, specifically on the other unnamed individuals referenced in of those was Torode. As we now know, an allegation he had used a severely offensive racist slur had been has been reported that Torode used the N-word at a season filming wrap party in 2019 while singing along to Gold Digger by Kayne is believed a debate started after he used the word among those present. However, the claim which was upheld against him relates to the previous year when he allegedly used the same word on set following the end of filming, and it was directed at a member of Torode sacked as Masterchef presenterGregg Wallace sacked as 50 more people make claimsWallace 'sorry' after 45 claims against him upheldOnly one claim was upheld against him. But BBC News understands that of the 10 additional complaints against other individuals mentioned in the report, nine were about Torode, including other allegations of racist language, abusive language towards junior production staff and sexual language which were unsubstantiated because of a lack of evidence or witnesses. We have not spoken to the people making those has said any racist language is "wholly unacceptable". And Banijay, it appears, was not initially planning to sack the BBC's director general Tim Davie has insisted it is drawing "a line in the sand".Torode had been "caught up in the new 'first strike and you're out' policy by the powers-that-be at the BBC," Max Goldbart, international TV editor at Deadline, said. "I wouldn't say Torode was collateral damage, I'd say that's offensive to the people who came forward," he said. But he added it was likely the BBC wanted to "reset" after the put these latest developments to the BBC, but it did not this week, a BBC spokesperson described the allegation as "an extremely offensive racist term," adding: "We will not tolerate racist language of any kind."Meanwhile, the role of a senior executive on MasterChef is also under the spotlight. It is thought they are the other person who had a complaint upheld against them for News has contacted that executive but has not heard back.A Banijay spokesperson said that in relation to the swearing allegation, "we are handling appropriately internally". Wallace and Torode were 'never friends' The relationship between Wallace and Torode, meanwhile, is believed to have broken notable that over the past year, Torode never backed Wallace. In an Instagram post in December, he appeared to be trying to position himself as separate from his co-host, describing the allegations against Wallace as "truly upsetting".And in his now-deleted Instagram post last week, where he leaked some findings from the report, Wallace seemed to hint at more to come for his co-host."What really concerns me about the short summary is others who have been found guilty of serious allegations have been erased from the published version of events. I, and I'm sure the public, would like to know why?"Insiders have told me that Wallace was briefing against his former they were "never friends," a former MasterChef worker told me."Clearly they had a good chemistry when the cameras were rolling. But you rarely saw them interact when the cameras were off," he says he heard Wallace make crude comments, such as a describing that a dish "tasted like his aunt's vagina"."And when Gregg was saying inappropriate things like that, John held his counsel. I never saw him step in."Another former MasterChef worker says the dynamic between the two presenters "seemed off", although she could never pinpoint also says Torode didn't ever call out his co-host when Wallace made inappropriate jokes. "John would eye roll but not say anything," she Wallace nor Torode responded to requests for comment. MasterChef is 'bigger than individuals' Away from the intrigue and allegations surrounding the presenters, many may simply be wondering whether one of their favourite shows will to BBC News this week, Tim Davie said MasterChef "absolutely" has a future, insisting the show is "bigger than individuals".It has a new base in Birmingham, and all the signs are that executives are fully committed to Monday - the day the report dropped - Shine TV (owned by Banijay) posted a job advert for an "experienced Midlands-based production secretary" to work on the next series of the show, starting this the MasterChef insider I spoke to said that despite all the drama of the past week, they are still working to "make the best MasterChef ever".Unlike many BBC shows, MasterChef is not an in-house production. In addition to the core show, it has the Professionals, Celebrities, and Christmas specials and is adapted in 65 territories viewing figures on linear TV have held up reasonably well, with 3.5 million people on average tuning in to the last series, unchanged from the year successful formats are hard to come by, particularly in the face of increasing pressure from streaming, which is why the corporation is so keen to hang onto dilemma, rather, is what to do with the series that have already been week, it was just amateurs, fronted by Wallace, that looked at risk. Now, with Torode also gone, that puts MasterChef Celebrities, filmed with Torode and Grace Dent, in jeopardy producer I spoke to said his greater concern was for the amateur chefs who have taken part in the series. BBC News has not managed to speak to any of the chefs. A copy of the contestants' guidelines, leaked to us, shows they are forbidden from speaking until the show goes a former chef on the show told me it would be "awful" if it was scrapped, for contestants who "gave up their time, had sleepless nights, dreamt only of recipes".The chefs are not given any compensation for lost time or income, just travel expenses, accommodation in a "fairly grim hotel" and a £20-a-day meal allowance, she the contestants can sue for lost income in the event of a series being filmed but not aired, is Davie indicated that Banijay is speaking to the chefs involved, and is working with them to come to a resolution. He insisted no decision has yet been some of the women who made claims about inappropriate behaviour by Wallace have asked why no-one is consulting them."They should not run the series," one said. Another said it would "make a mockery" of the people who have spoken out. Unanswered questions So, after a bruising week, there are still many unanswered still don't know who will replace Wallace and Torode. Names being floated include Grace Dent - who has already stepped in on Celebrity MasterChef - and Matt Tebbutt, from Saturday will clearly be hoping for a fresh start - a palate cleanser if you like - for the show as well as for the wider TV viewers would bond with new presenters remains to be seen. But unlike other shows, such as Top Gear, which are centred around their presenters, MasterChef was never really about Wallace and may also wonder what the men may do now, Torode's weekend programme is still in ITV's schedule, due to air on Saturday morning. But he will no longer be headlining a food festival next month, with Durham County Council saying he had "decided to take some time out".Meanwhile, Wallace has posted on Instagram offering his services as a weight loss expert for £200 per details may emerge about the swearing incident - and the unsubstantiated allegations - prompting further investigations and recriminations about who knew what, producer I spoke to says what's been reported, "doesn't feel like the show we've been working on over the years".He said it was a relief to know the show he loves will continue, adding, "I didn't want to see it go down this way."Additional reporting by Insaf Abbas.


BBC News
4 minutes ago
- BBC News
Wayne and Coleen Rooney: heroes of Lord of the Rings spoof
Once upon a time in a land far, far away (well, Liverpool), there was a heroic warrior called Wayne and a beautiful princess named Coleen... That, anyway, is the story of a new spoof fairytale fantasy show by one of the writers of TV's Motherland, who says it's her homage to the and Coleen Rooney's life story has some elements of an epic saga - they have stuck together through thick and thin, and have both vanquished some formidable foes (him on the football pitch, her in court).So creating a stage show that makes them characters in a fantasy world loosely inspired by The Lord of the Rings - with added jokes and songs - might just have a bizarre but brilliant Legend of Rooney's Ring opened at the Royal Court theatre in Liverpool on Friday, and has its basis in a famous if not-necessarily-accurate myth from the couple's origin 2004, a tabloid newspaper claimed that Coleen had thrown her £25,000 engagement ring out of a car window at a red squirrel reserve after reports about Wayne's attracted a flock of treasure hunters. "The next day everyone came out," says the play's writer Helen Serafinowicz, who's from Liverpool."The rumour had spread, and everyone was looking for it with their metal detectors and stuff. I've always just thought that was such a Liverpool story, whether it's true [or not]. I've heard lots of different versions of it."Coleen addressed the incident in her 2007 autobiography, saying she and Wayne were "going through a rough patch" but that "you shouldn't always believe what you read". Serafinowicz, one of the creators of hit sitcoms Motherland and Amandaland, saw comic value in merging the urban myth of Coleen's supposedly missing engagement band with JRR Tolkien's classic ring she has written "a Game of Thrones-y, Lord of the Rings-type of medieval caper"."What I wanted to avoid is targeting the Rooneys," she stresses. "They are an easy target, and I don't want this to be like dragging them through the mud, because that's easy and they've already had that."I mean, I just think they're great. I've always just thought Coleen was so cool and a great role model."So it's just a silly fantasy tale, loosely based on this ring." In the show, the football legend is portrayed by Liverpool comedian John May. "I'm dressed like He-Man, let's put it that way," he says of Wayne's makeover to resemble the macho, scantily-clad, sword-wielding 1980s cartoon all deliberately over-the-top and tongue-in-cheek, but the cast insist any ridicule is entirely affectionate. The couple have arguably earned respect by surviving various highs and lows in the public eye, which began with intense press scrutiny when they were childhood sweethearts."They were only kids, and that wasn't on," adds May. "So it's created two really strong characters, because they've had to Grace Arends is playing Coleen on stage, and can hardly contain her excitement."I've listened to her autobiography about two or three times now. She's got the documentary on Disney. I've really done my research on her," the actress says."It just made me love her even more, and we all do. She's brilliant, she really is, and she's a true Scouser."But also, they aren't actually Wayne and Coleen in it. It is fantasy, it is Lord of the Rings." The Legend of Rooney's Ring is typical of the homegrown comedies that come thick and fast at the Royal Court, which probably has a closer connection with its local crowd than any comparable theatre in the venue aims to stage only original crowd-pleasing plays, often using sport-related stories to attract audiences in the football-mad shows have included Red or Dead, starring Peter Mullan as former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly; and Speedo Mick The Musical, about the Everton-supporting charity hero."That audience want to be entertained and they like things that are relevant to them," says executive producer Kevin Fearon."We focus on comedy and musical comedy. We focus on stories that relate to people in Liverpool, and we put characters on stage that relate to those people - people they could recognise, even if they are larger than life."The theatre is making its mark beyond Liverpool, too - it staged the premiere of a stage adaptation of 1980s TV show Boys From the Blackstuff, which transferred to the National Theatre and West old classics are out, though. "Our audience wants to see things they know on stage. So giving them an Ibsen or a Shakespeare or an Alan Bennett doesn't really work," Fearon says. He really got the message when the venue revived Michael Frayn's 1982 farce Noises Off in 2014 – and he had to plead with a group of 10 women to stay for the second half."Ten minutes into act two, one of them stood up, then another, and then all of them stood up. One of them turned around and saw me at the back and gave me two fingers as they left the auditorium."They were watching a bunch of middle-class actors being daft, and that's not real enough for them."So our work has to connect with those people who will walk out, will go to the pub."Lindzi Germain plays Queen Colette, Coleen's mum, in The Legend of Rooney's Ring, and has starred in many Royal Court shows. "We're not sitting you there for two hours being serious, taking you on a journey where you've got to think about something," she says."You haven't got to think of anything. Just sit down, have a drink, relax and have a laugh and escape for two hours."The theatre's informal atmosphere is helped by having tables in the stalls where food is served. For many people, the venue has taken the place of social clubs that have shut down, Germain says."They come in at half six, get their tea, meet all their mates and watch two hours."Some people get absolutely hammered. Some people just have a few drinks, but also have a great night out and a laugh."The Legend of Rooney's Ring is at the Liverpool Royal Court until 23 August