Coronation Street: Bridget confesses to murdering Charlie
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A lonely and vulnerable Max Turner (played by Paddy Bever) will be targeted by an extremist gang on Coronation Street as part of a hard-hitting storyline to highlight the issue of grooming impressionable young men. If Max joins the group his friends and family’s lives could be put at risk as well as his own.
Viewers will see Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) confront eco-activist Griff (Michael Condron) and his friends when he finds out the band they have invited him to see are playing racist songs.
Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) approaches Spider Nugent (Martin Hancock) about the company he is keeping, unaware he is an undercover police officer who has infiltrated the gang to expose their activity.
In scenes to air on Monday, Griff turns his attention towards a troubled Max who has been a victim of constant bullying since losing his place at Weatherfield High School.
Griff steps in and threatens to teach Max’s tormentors a lesson which wins Max’s trust.
Griff later invites Max to a Halloween house party telling the rest of the gang he could be useful to their cause.
As the months unfold, Max becomes more estranged from his loved ones and he falls under Griff’s spell.
Griff manages to use Max’s video and computer skills to spread their racist propaganda.
“Overall, Max’s story is one about the grooming of a vulnerable teenager at a point where he’s feeling most alienated and disenfranchised,” said Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod.
He said the plot will “encompass the traditional” recruitment techniques of extremist groups.
ITV viewers will see Max befriended by older, mentor-like figures who will give him a sense of loyalty and brotherhood.
“Then, later in the story, we will explore a very 21st Century problem – teenagers self-radicalising through watching extreme content online,” Iain explained.
“In the end, we wanted this to be a story about communication within families – what are the right and wrong ways to talk to younger family members who are gravitating towards extreme views?
“For the conclusion of the story, David’s [Platt] misjudged attempts to deal with Max will drive the narrative to a shocking and thought-provoking climax.”
Tim Jacques, Counter Terrorism Policing’s senior national coordinator, said Coronation Street has a long history of raising awareness of challenging issues that sit at the heart of communities across the UK.
He added: “Sadly, the terrorist threat remains one of those very real concerns.
“We hope Max’s story will help to highlight why it’s so important to get support or advice if you’re worried someone you love is taking a dangerous path. It really doesn’t have to be that way.”
Will Max be able to get out of the gang before anyone is seriously hurt?
Can David (Jack P. Shepherd) save a vulnerable Max from being in grave danger?
If you are concerned someone you know is being radicalised, advice and support are available on www.actearly.uk.
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV at 8pm.
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