Coronation Street: Ofcom WON’T be investigating controversial episode for THIS reason
OFCOM have made a shock decision not to investigate an episode that featured controversial scenes of controlled crying, despite receiving 132 complaints from angry viewers.
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The episode in question featured parents Steve McDonald (played by Simon Gregson) and Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) struggling to put their baby Olly to bed, and after tense bouts of tiredness the pair attempted controlled crying.
The divisive technique involves training a baby to stop relying on comfort from their parents in order to sleep and learn to soothe themselves instead, eventually becoming more independent with their sleeping habits.
Steve and Leanne, who at the time were considering giving their co-parenting a chance at a real romantic relationship, were seen leaving Olly upstairs as the sound of screaming prompted viewers to send the communications regulator hordes of objections.
Addressing the complaints, an Ofcom spokesman revealed that they would not be investigating the episode which aired on July 31.
Coronation Street: Ofcom have decided not to investigate a scene that depicted controlled crying
Coronation Street: Steve and Leanne co-parent baby Olly together
Coronation Street: The 'couple' tried controlling crying after being unable to sleep
We found the plot centred around the relationship between two characters
He explained: "We considered complaints that this episode promoted 'controlled crying', a parenting method which attracts strong views.
"We found the plot centred around the relationship between two characters, and did not promote a view on whether controlled crying is appropriate or effective."
The last time the broadcasting watchdog were urged to investigate a plot from the ITV soap was during teenager Bethany Platt's (Lucy Fallon) grooming storyline, that led to her being raped by corrupt police officer Neil and member of her boyfriend Nathan Curtis' (Chris Harper) sex ring.
But when the soap continued as normal and Coronation Street boss Kate Oates was criticised for making the show "too dark" after she joined, the producer denied that the backlash was justified.
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"Not at all," she said. "A lot of the criticism came when people had watched one or two episodes that had been particularly dark and challenging.
"But this is a serial drama and there was light, heart and optimism as part of that longer journey. For me, this was a feminist story because Bethany took the power back."
Coronation Street continues tomorrow at 7.30pm on ITV.