Charlie: My abuse hell like Corrie plot

CORRIE’S domestic abuse plot is helping real-life victims, says Sky Sports star Charlie Webster.

The presenter, 38, suffered abuse at the hands of her stepdad.

Seeing evil Geoff Metcalfe’s behaviour on the ITV soap has brought back painful memories for her – but she thinks the way it has been done has given a vital voice to fellow victims.

Charlie said: “I am a child survivor of sexual and domestic abuse.

“Sometimes the image that is portrayed around domestic abuse isn’t necessarily what people can relate to.

“I think it’s so important to portray it like they have on Coronation Street. It is awareness and education like this storyline that is really going to make a difference.

“I’ve watched Coronation Street since I was young and you fall in love with those characters and follow those characters and you learn from them. That is what is so impactful about soaps.”

The storyline on Corrie has seen Geoff, played by Ian Bartholomew, becoming increasingly controlling.

Bosses ran it over a series of months to show how gradual domestic abuse can be. Charlie added: “The storyline has shown the patterns you get in behaviour. It’s sometimes a long process.

“I think sometimes people think it’s just an incident.

“That’s sometimes how society, and especially the police, can see it.

“And it’s important to show it’s the patterns of behaviour that happen around power and control.”

Corrie star Ian, 66, recently recorded a song to raise awareness about domestic violence. Charlie and other real-life victims appeared in the video.

Charlie campaigns to help victims of domestic abuse as an ambassador for the charity Women’s Aid.

For support visit womensaid.org.uk.