Coronation Street causes storm over child slap scene

A children’s charity has criticised scenes of a child being slapped in this week’s ‘Coronation Street’.

Hundreds of ‘Coronation Street’ fans have also taken to the web to complain over the scenes in Monday night’s episode of the ITV soap.

9.5 million viewers watched Owen Armstrong, played by Ian Puleston-Davies, slap his girlfriend Anna Windass's 10-year-old adopted daughter Faye, played by Ellie-Louise Leach, across the back of the legs after discovering she had killed his fish.

[See also: George Lucas reveals why he wont be making any more blockbusters]

Speaking about the storyline, NSPCC spokesperson Phillip Noyes said: “Parents can obviously be pushed to the limit on occasion but there are more positive ways of correcting a child’s behaviour than smacking them. It simply sets a bad example and teaches children that violence is a solution.

“Children tell us it leaves them scared and confused and the NSPCC believes it simply gives out the wrong message and breaks down the trust between child and parent.”

Viewers have also reportedly complained to TV watchdog Ofcom over the scene.

[See also: MasterChef ditches X-Factor style auditions]

Corrie's producers were quick to answer criticism of the scene, saying: “We most certainly don’t condone Owen’s actions – as will be seen by the ramifications of the slap, and the effect it has on his relationship.” [Daily Mail/The Mirror]

Also in today's press

The BBC's new primetime comedies have taken a panning, according to ratings figures. New series 'The Ones', which features various 80s comedians including Lenny Henry and Jasper Carrot, has not been going down well with viewers or critics. Just 2.2 million watched the episode featuring Griff Rhys Jones on Monday night. Meanwhile, David Jason's 'The Royal Bodyguard' also continues to lose colossal numbers of viewers, dropping from 4.5 million since its debut over Christmas to 2.6 million this week. [Daily Mail]

'Downton Abbey' could be set for the big screen. Its writer Julian Fellowes was reportedly spotted at the Golden Globe awards discussing the possibility with movie executives. A source told The Sun that 'Julian was explaining he would have to give the idea a lot of thought and that lots of people have already asked him about film rights'. [The Sun]

'Top Gear's producers have defended their much-criticised Christmas special, which was filmed in India, after the Indian High Commission branded it 'offensive and tasteless'. “Our film showed the charm, the beauty, the wealth, the poverty and the idiosyncrasies of India, but there's a vast difference between showing a country, warts and all, and insulting it,” read a statement.

“It's simply not the case that we displayed a hostile or superior attitude to our hosts and that's very clear from the way the presenters can be seen to interact with them along the way. We genuinely loved our time in India and if there were any jokes to be had they were, as ever, reflected back on the presenters rather than the Indian people.” [Digital Spy]