In devastating scenes, Corrie viewers will discover that Toyah Battersby buried her stillborn baby in a park after being raped 23 years ago.
Coronation Street will be airing its darkest involving a dead baby born from a rape over than 20 years ago, it has been reported.
In devastating scenes, viewers will discover that Toyah Battersby buried her stillborn baby in a park after being raped 23 years ago. So, Toyah (Georgia Taylor) will be left fearing the worst when she finds out that the land will be dug up and her secret discovered.
In 2001, Toyah was on a night out with Sam Kingston (Scott Wright) and went on to walk home alone but was attacked and raped by an unknown assailant. She was found by Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas), who helped her get back home. Toyah later gave a statement to police and was examined at the hospital, with several male residents pinned as suspects – including Peter Barlow, who was ruled out by a DNA test.
She struggled to deal with what happened and developed agoraphobia. When comforted by her friend Phil Simmonds (Jack Deam), she recognized his voice and came to the horrifying realization that he was the one who raped her. Realizing she knows, Phil stopped her from leaving, but Toyah was saved by Peter who heard her screams and knocked Phil unconscious. Phil was later found guilty of the rape and sent to prison. Toyah went on to leave Weatherfield after reuniting with Spider and moving to London.
“Aside from the fact that viewers want entertainment, this is still an incredibly dark and ambitious storyline, and some longtime fans may decide to pick apart the holes,” a source told The Sun.
They added that as the story all played out on screen – from the attack to the aftermath – so for it to transpire that she became pregnant and suffered a stillbirth all alone has “raised a few eyebrows on set”.
The Mirror has reached out to Coronation Street for comment.
It comes after ITV recently announced that Emmerdale producer Kate Brooks would be moving to Coronation Street to steer the ship following Iain MacLeod stepping up to become Executive Producer for Continuing Drama and lead both soaps.