Corrie Izzy to highlight toll of lockdown on disabled workers
She faces sack for shielding
CORONATION Street is to tackle the plight of disabled people working remotely during the pandemic.
Izzy Armstrong, played by Cherylee Houston, has already been shielding while doing her job at Underworld from home in the ITV soap.
Factory bosses Carla Connor and Sarah Barlow came up with a scheme to help, but she is secretly struggling.
Things come to a head next week when Carla gets frustrated by what she sees as substandard work from Izzy and says she will have to go back to the factory or face the sack.
Cherylee, who is shielding, filmed the scenes herself with partner Toby Hadoke at their Manchester home, a first for the show. Toby plays concerned neighbour Fergus.
Cherylee, 46, said: “I have been fortunate that my employers enabled me to continue shielding after guidance ended in March.
“I’ve been so supported by ITV, but many of my disabled peers who were shielding haven’t, and have had to earn money to survive while facing the real fear of death or illness through Covid.
“The pandemic has had an incredible impact on disabled people due to social isolation and a lack of understanding.”
Disabled workers told a survey by YouGov for the TUC that their disability or shielding status meant that they were treated unfairly and worse than other colleagues.
One in 13 said they were subjected to bullying and 12 per cent feared their disability affected any chances of promotion.
Corrie producer Iain MacLeod said: “This was a story that needed telling and I hope it will resonate with millions of people who have found themselves in a similar position to Izzy.”