Coronation Street Deny Claims of Upcoming ‘Muslim Extremist’ Storyline

Coronation Street bosses have been forced to deny reports that they have been developing a Muslim extremist storyline in the wake of the Paris attacks. In an article published by The Sun, a source told the national paper that the plotline had been ‘confirmed’ and that producers hoped to start casting for the characters involved in the storyline in the coming weeks. According to The Sun, a source close to the ITV soap’s producers revealed: “With all that is going on in the world now, this is a very relevant issue and it is only right that we should be seriously considering it," they told The Sun. “Corrie always tries to replicate real life and we are never scared from tackling controversial storylines. That is what we are renowned for and we make sure we do it with complete sensitivity. "There have been some real debates about whether it is the right thing to do, but if we can find a sensitive way to handle it that works before the watershed, then we will start putting the wheels in motion.” However, following the recent Paris attacks, and new reports that suggest the rise in attacks on British Muslims has increased dramatically in the past two weeks, the show has been forced to deny any intention of covering a plot. Speaking to Metro UK, a Coronation Street spokesperson denied any plans to develop a Muslim extremist story, saying: “There are absolutely no plans to introduce a Muslim extremist or radicalisation storyline into Coronation Street.” A second source later explained that while the storyline had been pitched, it has not been pursued by the soap in any way.