Yahoo News Corrie 'plans' first HIV storyline for Seb Franklin
Following its success with the Bethany Platt grooming and award-winning Michelle Connor baby loss storylines this year, Coronation Street looks set to tackle another important issue.
The ITV show is working on a groundbreaking storyline that will see Seb Franklin (as played by Harry Visinoni) diagnosed with HIV in hopes of raising awareness about the issue, according to The Sun.
Seb will apparently learn that he is HIV+ in scenes to air in October, leaving him, girlfriend Faye Windass (Ellie Leach) and their close friends and family having to come to terms with this news.
Coronation Street has reportedly consulted with the Terrence Higgins Trust, one of the UK's best-known sexual health advocacy and charity groups, to ensure that its depiction of an HIV+ person is authentic.
A spokesperson for Coronation Street is declining to comment on the reported storyline at this stage. This would be the first time that Coronation Street has directly tackled HIV for a major character.
(Coronation Street producer Kate Oates)
Rival soap EastEnders memorably spotlighted the struggle faced by those living with HIV as part of a storyline exit for Mark Fowler (Todd Carty ), whose character succumbed to an AIDS-related illness off-screen in 2004.
Current Corrie producer Kate Oates also previously explored the issue of HIV through the character Val Pollard during her years running fellow ITV soap Emmerdale.
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
To learn more about HIV and AIDS research, testing and treatment, visit amFAR or the Terrence Higgins Trust.
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