Corrie fans flood Ofcom with complaints following ‘offensive’ joke

Evelyn Plummer

by Marianna Manson |
Updated on

Coronation Street has come under fire for an “insensitive” IVF-related joke made my Evelyn Plummer.

The Weatherfield stalwart made the comments during Infertility Awareness Week, with telly regulator Ofcom receiving over 60 complaints from outraged viewers.

The gag came as Evelyn, played by Maureen Lipman, went to visit Gemma Winter and her four newborn babies.

Gemma Winter
©ITV

“You can't move for twins and triplets these days. At least she did it the old-fashioned way and not through, what's it, IVF,” she said.

Viewers flocked to Twitter to complain, with one writing, “ITV shame on you, it's infertility awareness week not mock infertiles".

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Coronation Street Spoilers Monday 11 - Friday 15 November slider

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When Michelle hears that Roy has offered her role to Ayla, she wants to look out for her and tells Ayla not to accept any inappropriate behavior from Roy...

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But when it gets back to Roy that Michelle has been talking about him he's furious, and heads over to the Bistro with his lawyer to serve her a letter of breach of contract and defamation.

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Robert is driving home from Vicky's after placating Tyler over the Amy situation, but when he receives a call from a shaken Michelle following her run in with Ray he's distracted, and crashes is car.

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Having been cut off, a frantic Michelle tries to call Robert back but is horrified when his phone is answered by police, who tell her he's been in an accident. Michelle rushes to visit him in hospital and is confused when a dazed and confused Robert starts asking about a baby...

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Meanwhile, Vicky is at the same hospital for a scan and when the nurse recognises her, breaks the news that Robert has been in a terrible accident. Vicky rushes to find him on his ward - will Robert be able to keep his two women separate?

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But Robert's drug-fuelled rambling in the hospital rouses Michelle's suspicions and when he's back on his feet she follows him in the car with Carla to Vicky's address.

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Inside the house, Robert is breaking the news to Vicky that their relationship is over, but that he still wants to be a part of the baby's life.

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Outside, Michelle's suspicions are confirmed as she watches Robert leave Vicky's house. Back in Weatherfield, Michelle confronts

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Roy confides in Carla that the reason he's been so obsessed with his online scrabble is because he thinks his opponent is his long lost half brother, Richard.

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When he finds an address for him, Carla comes with for emotional support but Roy is disheartened when a young woman, Nina, answers the door and insists she doesn't know anyone called Richard.

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With Carla's encouragement, Roy tries again at the address and this time they are let in when Roy introduces himself as Richard's online scrabble opponent.

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Eventually, Roy comes clean about who he really is. Richard's daughter, Nina, explains that he's suffering from pulmonary fibrosis and doesn't have long to live. Carla takes Nina aside and tells her she'd be lucky to have Roy in her life.

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With Amy and Steve constantly squabbling, new housemate Emma is determined to get them seeing eye to eye and comes up with a plan to spend some quality time together as a family.

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Emma announces that they'll each take it in turns to suggest a fun activity to do together. It's Steve's turn first, and when he picks a football match Amy is suprised to find she enjoys herself.

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For Amy's turn, she picks a Little Mix concert and Steve is less than pleased. Feeling her work is done, Emma announces she's moving back home, leaving Amy gutted.

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In a bid to get Emma to stay, Amy pretends to sprain her ankle but when Emma says they probably shouldn't go to the concert, Amy admits she'd faked it to get Emma to stay. Emma tells her they'll always be sisters and they can hang out all the time if she wants.

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Elswhere in Weatherfield, Kel is released from prison and when Bernie suggests a family dinner to celebrate, a furious Paul outright refuses to join them.

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As they say their goodnight's after their family meal, Billy rounds on Kel and warns him to stay away from No. 5 – and certainly from Joseph - or he'd regret it. Are Billy's threats enough?

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Meanwhile, Gemma and Chesney have been contacted by the Marketing manager of Frescho who is interested in booking them and the quads as they new faces of the supermarket.

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With a £500 bill to pay back to the hotel in Llandudno (thanks to Bernie drinking the mini bar dry!) Gemma and Chesney are keen to accept - but are knocked for six when she offers them £60k.

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In the Rover's after signing the contract, an elated Bernie insists they book a holiday with all the money - but a clear headed Gemma refuses, saying the money is for the babies' futures.

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“IVF isn't a choice. My wife and I struggled with the postcode lottery and found out we could not have kids even if we paid for IVF,” said another.

When contacted byThe Sun, The Fertility Foundation said, “It's sad to see a popular show making such disparaging comments on a subject that affects one in six people who'd love to have a baby the old-fashioned way.

Gemma Winter, Chesney Brown
©ITV

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"I'd have hoped the researchers would have taken the time to understand the emotional roller coaster couples are on when facing the fact the only way to start a family is through IVF."

And a spokesperson for Ofcom said, "We're assessing these complaints before deciding whether to investigate."

The blunder comes after Corrie was called out for “unrealistic” scenes showing Gemma (Dolly-Rose Campbell) walking around an NICU unit moments after delivering three babies by C-Section.

“So realistic tonight’s episode. Gemma had 1 baby vaginally, 3 under general anaesthetic yet she’s up walking about seeing babies in SCBU #coronationstreet,” blasted one commenter.

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