Corrie faces AXE: Odds SLASHED on soap being CANCELLED as viewers boycott violence

THE odds of Coronation Street being axed were slashed last night as angry viewers vowed to boycott the soap over its violent plot lines.

By Jerry Lawton /

Corrie ITV

BRUTAL: Pat Phelan's storyline has shocked viewers with constant extreme violence

Bookmakers cut the chances of ITV pulling the plug on the show by the end of the year from 250/1 to 25/1 after a “streak of bets”.

They were offering odds of just 5/1 it will be moved to a post-watershed spot over its gritty story lines.

Two of the soap’s hottest young stars backed the dark plots which have angered viewers.

Actress Lucy Fallon, 22, whose role as teen sex grooming gang victim Bethany Platt landed her the Best Serial Drama Performance gong at Tuesday’s National Television Awards, told the Daily Star: “I like gritty story lines, especially as an actor.

“I think they’re the best ones to do. You want stuff you can really stick your teeth into.”

Corrie ITV

BOYCOTT: Ofcom are investigating Pat Phelan's storyline after numerous complaints

“If you keep the story lines light all the time it would get boring”

Julia Goulding

She said she hoped her harrowing scenes would help her become a top drama star like fellow ex-Corrie actress Suranne Jones.

Julia Goulding, 33, who plays Shona Ramsay, gave Corrie producer Kate Oates her vote of confidence to steer the soap in the right direction.

She said: “I think it’s important to keep challenging the way people perceive the show.

“If you keep the story lines light all the time it would get boring.”

Corrie ITV

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    But Ofcom is assessing if Corrie broke “appropriate scheduling” rules by screening graphic scenes during Pat Phelan’s murder rampage before the 9pm watershed.

    The TV watchdog received 622 complaints as the plot line unfolded over the past few months.

    And yesterday Corrie’s Twitter account was flooded with viewers’ rants about about recent violence - including Phelan’s continuing killing spree.

    One said: “Your pathetic Pat story line has made me never want to watch you ever again.”