The death of Coronation Street’s Rana Habeeb has sparked a debate on social media, with some criticising the soap for killing off a gay character.
Rana (Bhavna Limbachia) died in the factory collapse on the day she was meant to be marrying Kate Connor (Faye Brookes).
Limbachia has said it was her decision to kill off Rana, because it was the right end to her story.
But some fans have expressed their disappointment, saying it is typical to see lesbians suffer misfortune on screen.
“Why doesn’t #Corrie do something really different & let a same sex couple marry, live happily together for years, have children? Why do they always have to kill them?!” asked one person on Twitter.
Why doesn't #Corrie do something really different & let a same sex couple marry, live happily together for years, have children? Why do they always have to kill them?!
— 'Take me to the hole!' 🎃👻 (@KazP19) March 20, 2019
“Why did they kill off an LGBTQ+ Muslim woman??? Can’t Lesbian couples be happy???” said another.
Why did they kill off an LGBTQ+ Muslim woman??? Can't Lesbian couples be happy??? #Corrie #Rana
— Laura (@eponinetaire) March 20, 2019
One posted: “#Kana ending was always going to be sad, no way around that.
“But to have a Muslim lesbian die on her wedding day isn’t just sad, it’s outright harmful.
“This is playing into homophobic tropes that have no place in 2019.”
#Kana ending was always going to be sad, no way around that. But to have a Muslim lesbian die on her wedding day isn't just sad, it's outright harmful. This is playing into homophobic tropes that have no place in 2019. #Corrie #RanaDeservedBetter #LGBTViewersDeserveBetter
— Annie (@annief3051) March 20, 2019
Another tweeted: “It’s five years last week since same-sex marriage became legal in the UK, and the closest Coronation Street has got to a gay wedding is killing Rana off on her wedding day. Such a disappointment.”
It's five years last week since same-sex marriage became legal in the UK, and the closest Coronation Street has got to a gay wedding is killing Rana off on her wedding day. Such a disappointment#Corrie
— Wriggy (@Wriggy) March 20, 2019
However, others disagreed, pointing out that Rana needed an exit storyline as Limbachia had decided to leave the soap.
“I do wish people would stop trying to weave in LGBTQ+ lesbian Muslim and anything else they can think of in to tonight’s #Corrie,” said one.
“The actress playing Rana wanted to leave so had to be written out somehow! What do you want? The 2 of them riding off into the sunset?”
I do wish people would stop trying to weave in LGBTQ+ lesbian Muslim and anything else the can think of in to tonight’s #Corrie The actress playing Rana wanted to leave so had to be written out somehow! What do you want? The 2 of them riding off into the sunset? #getalife
— iamdavidmattock (@iamdavidmattock) March 20, 2019
“It is a real shame to have such important representation as a Muslim in a same-sex relationship and an interacial lesbian couple end in a death but I don’t think it’s the outright display of homophobia people would have you believe, that’s just a bit much,” said another.
It is a real shame to have such important representation as a Muslim in a same-sex relationship and an interacial lesbian couple end in a death but I don't think it's the outright display of homophobia people would have you believe, that's just a bit much #Corrie
— Liam 🇲🇹🇮🇹🇨🇾🇳🇱🇵🇹 (@liammcr_) March 20, 2019
One said: “Race/religion or sexuality has absolutely nothing to do with this. #Corrie is neither racist or homophobic.
“They simply followed the wishes of an actor who has left to pursue other things in her career.”
Race/religion or sexuality has absolutely nothing to do with this. #Corrie is neither racist or homophobic. They simply followed the wishes of an actor who has left to pursue other things in her career. Bhavna is beyond talented, she will go so far and I say good on her!
— Danimay Palmer (@Danimay_Palmer) March 20, 2019
Coronation Street continues on ITV.