Kidney Care UK have slammed Coronation Street’s portrayal of Carla Connor’s (Alison King) transplant story.
Recent scenes have shown the character requiring an organ replacement as a result of suffering from sepsis complications.
She originally had a transplant seven years ago amid her alcohol addiction.
Nephew Bobby Crawford (Jack Carroll) approached his estranged murderer dad Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis) to ask him to donate a kidney to Carla, and to his surprise he agreed.
Carla was left reeling when she was told if she accepted his offer, she would have to go private – with bills mounting to £100,000 – due to the cost of keeping a prisoner in hospital.
Her girlfriend Lisa Swain’s (Vicky Myers) daughter Betsy (Sydney Martin) later offered her a lifeline, giving her half of the cash from her inheritance to pay for the treatment.
She’s since returned home in the meantime and receiving dialysis, something which Kidney Care UK have described as ‘frustrating.’
It’s not unusual for soap plots – which can often be far-fetched and stretched beyond reality – to alter timelines in court cases or medical condition plots to heighten or speed up the drama.
The charity was established in 1975 and supports people affected by kidney disease, as well as ensuring they improve their quality of life and don’t go through it alone.
Fiona Loud, Policy Director at Kidney Care UK told Metro: ‘Soap storylines are a really important opportunity to raise awareness of issues, conditions and illnesses – especially ones that there is less awareness of, such as kidney disease. This is why we’ve been happy to speak to Coronation Street both times they have run Carla’s kidney disease storyline.
‘In the UK, 8 out of 10 people waiting for a transplant are waiting for a kidney and by presenting kidney disease and kidney transplantation storylines on prime time TV there is a real opportunity to have an impact on the transplant waiting list, which is at a ten year high.
Coronation Street cast exits – who is going?
Sue Devaney as Debbie Webster
Fans have been left distraught at news of Debbie’s upcoming departure, with the character being written out as part of a storyline focusing on dementia.
A source told Metro: ‘It’s one of the show’s biggest storylines of the year, and a real chance for Sue to finally get her time in the spotlight – it will just be devastating for fans that it will effectively be her final storyline.
‘It’s one of many major storylines new boss Kate Brooks has in the bag, and there will not be a dry eye in the house.
‘There is no doubt in the Corrie family that she will give the performance of a lifetime and make Debbie’s exit one to remember for years.’
Sue Cleaver as Eileen Grimshaw
Loose Women and I’m A Celebrity star Sue has been central to the show for two and a half decades but now she will be saying goodbye.
She confirmed: ‘I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street.’
‘The door is still firmly open, but as I reached my 60th year, I decided it was time to embrace change, look for new adventures, and live fearlessly.’
Colson Smith as Craig Tinker
After 14 years, Corrie has decided to also write out police officer Craig, with the actor sharing his love for the show on social media following the decision, delivered to him last year.
He said: ‘I’ve loved every single second of my 14-year stay as a resident on the greatest street in the world. I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in, on and around Coronation Street.
‘I’ve learnt pretty much everything about life from the people who call it home. I’m excited to play out the exit story for our Craigy. For me, this is just the end of the beginning.
‘I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter 2 has in store for me. Long live the cobbles!’
Charlotte Jordan as Daisy Midgeley
After a very busy four years on the show, Daisy is set to leave as part of a currently to-secret explosive storyline, with Charlotte keen to try other projects.
She said in a statement: ‘My time at Coronation Street is something I’ll always cherish.
‘After a brilliant four years for Daisy, it’s time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.
‘It’s been a privilege to be part of a wonderful institution with even more wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much.’
Shelley King as Yasmeen Metcalfe
After 10 years, Yasmeen will be departing the cobbles – and she has already filmed her final scenes in December, so expect her last episode soon.
Metro understands that she won’t be killed off.
A show insider has clarified: ‘Shelley spoke to producers early last year and advised that after 10 years on the show and being involved in many major storylines during the past decade she had decided the time has come for her to explore other opportunities.
‘Shelley is an accomplished stage and television actress and we fully understand her desire to take her career in another direction after 10 years playing the same role.
‘She filmed her final scenes in December.’
Paddy Bever as Max Turner
With Paddy having filmed his final scenes, it is expected he will leave in spring.
‘After much reflection and in an incredibly difficult decision, I have chosen to step away from Max, and Coronation Street, to explore new opportunities. I have been surrounded by such kindness and support every step of the way, Paddy, 22, said in a statement.
Talking to The Mirror, he added: ‘It’s been a great privilege to contribute to the legacy of such a well-loved and iconic show. This chapter has been unforgettable and while I look forward to what lies ahead, I will treasure these memories.’
‘We advised the writers of Coronation Street in 2018 and took them to a transplant unit so they could learn how amazing organ donation can be.
‘We understand that soaps do have to reduce timelines in order to tell stories, but in the UK the wait for a kidney transplant is currently 2-3 years, and for some it can be much longer.
She continued: ‘It upset our community to see Carla’s transplant happen so quickly in 2018 and so when they approached us again in the summer of 2024 we provided advice as to different types of dialysis and the timelines involved between being told you would need dialysis treatment and when you may start this at home.
‘We made it clear that the expedited timeline in 2018 was not realistic, and urged them to really take care with the storytelling this time to repair some of this distress in the kidney community.
‘However this advice was not used and we are concerned that there are opportunities to make a difference in the awareness of kidney disease that could be missed, and may have a detrimental effect on the public understanding of just how serious kidney disease really is.
‘We have written to the writers again to explain our concerns. It is not too late to put this right, and we hope we can work together to help tell the true story of living with kidney disease.’
