SHOCKING TWIST!!! Coronation Street hit with 55 Ofcom complaints for episode with twist

Coronation Street has stirred up a fresh dose of viewer backlash after airing a steamy scene that some fans branded a step too far for the soap’s traditional 7:30pm time slot.

According to Ofcom, the episode broadcast on August 29 sparked 55 complaints from viewers who were apparently less than thrilled with what played out on screen.

While the media regulator hasn’t specified the nature of the complaints just yet, it’s safe to say the drama unfolding between Carl Webster and footballer James Bailey didn’t go unnoticed.

In the recent scenes, Carl, played by newcomer Jonathan Howard, hooks up with James following a flirtatious build-up. After some heavy flirting, the pair end up in bed together, with Carl seen parading around in nothing but a towel and James shirtless in bed after their romantic encounter.

Carl, who is stood in just a towel, leans over James, who is laying topless in a bed in Corrie
Carl kept himself entertained while Abi was out of town
🌐 𝑾𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆: 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒔.𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐 – 𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍

For some viewers, the scene was just another juicy moment in a soap known for its long-running love triangles and fiery fallouts. But for others, was it too much?

Carl is the brother of Kevin Webster and recently arrived on the cobbles after being referenced in storylines for years. But he’s wasted no time making his presence felt, causing chaos left, right, and centre. Most notably, he’s been having an affair with Abi Webster, Kevin’s wife.

Carl also got himself into a sticky situation with Tracy Barlow in recent weeks. Tracy, never one to shy away from stirring the pot, made it clear she was interested in him.

Shirtless Carl opens the hotel room door for Tracy in Corrie
Tracy is not shy when it comes to getting what she wants
🌐 𝑾𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆: 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒔.𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐 – 𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍

Despite her advances, he decided staying involved with Tracy would be a dangerous move, opting instead for a less complicated connection with James.

While Abi and Kevin took their son Jack on a family holiday to try and patch things up, Carl found alternative ways to keep himself entertained. And when James, fresh from a breakup with his partner Danny, crossed his path, one thing led to another.

While some fans applaud the soap for pushing boundaries and embracing more inclusive storylines, others branded it inappropriate and not suitable for younger audiences, given the time slot the show airs. It’s not yet known whether Ofcom will launch a formal investigation, but this certainly isn’t Corrie’s first brush with the regulator this year.

Abi looks at Carl with her hands on his arms in Corrie
Abi and Carl have been playing a dangerous game with their love affair
🌐 𝑾𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆: 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒔.𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐 – 𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍

Back in July, viewers also raised concerns over another explosive episode that featured the violent return of villain Mick Michaelis. After breaking out of prison, Mick launched a brutal attack on Kit Green, his former best mate and a police officer, leaving Kit fighting for his life in hospital.

Things escalated further when Mick later threatened Sally Metcalfe during a tense standoff while trying to find his children. Social media lit up with criticism, and a wave of viewers vowed to take their concerns to Ofcom, many of whom seemingly followed through.

It’s clear that Coronation Street’s recent plot twists are dividing opinion. Some long-time fans may feel the show has taken a darker, more explicit turn that doesn’t quite match its roots as a family-friendly soap.

FROM ITV  Embargo: 9pm Monday 7th July 2025  CORONATION STREET’S MICK IS A MAN ON A MISSION  Embeddable YouTube link for the promo:https://youtu.be/-XMdQN-Mids  please note this will go live at 9pm   Coronation Street has released a new trailer showing a desperate Mick Michaelis on the run from prison and on a mission to reunite with his kids.  After getting news that his family are falling apart, the dramatic episode on Monday July 14th follows Mick (Joe Layton) as he orchestrates a prison break and plans to do a runner with Brody, Joanie and Shanice.  With the desperate killer having little to lose, he poses a danger to anyone who gets in his way. His first port of call is Weatherfield High but when he realises that his daughter Joanie has been taken home from school by Sally (Sally Dynevor) he heads for the cobbles.  As Sally offers Joanie a tour of Underworld, while the factory girls are at the pub, she has no idea that Mick has arrived on the street, closely followed by Kit (Jacob Roberts).   What has
Mick really shook up the cobbles during his sting in Weatherfield
🌐 𝑾𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆: 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒔.𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐 – 𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍

Others may argue the show is simply evolving with the times, tackling modern relationships, sexuality, and high-stakes drama in a way that keeps things fresh after more than 60 years on air.

Metro reached out to Coronation Street for comment regarding the complaints, but did not receive a response.

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