Coronation Street star Julia Goulding has said she hopes the soap’s male rape storyline will make the issue less taboo to talk about.
The ITV soap has revealed that an upcoming storyline will see David Platt (Jack P Shepherd) drugged and raped by newcomer Josh, who is played by Ryan Clayton.
Goulding, who plays Shona Ramsey, said Corrie will be handling the story “really, really sensitively”.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, she said it was important to tell the hard-hitting story “to highlight it and get it out there and make it less taboo”.
“And to give people the opportunity to speak out if they need to,” she said.
The actress added: “I am so excited to be a part of this storyline.”
Goulding joined the soap in 2016, after watching it since she was a child.
She was on a train when she learned she had been cast as Shona, David’s love interest.
Thank you so much @ITVLorraine for having me on today’s Show Talking all things @itvcorrie ….I wouldn’t mind that shepherds pie recipe either @NaughtyBoyMusic 😊
— Julia Goulding (@juliagoulding) January 31, 2018
She said: “I ran into the vestibule and rang my mum and I remember both of us were just laughing and crying and laughing a bit more and crying a bit more. It was the most surreal moment!”