Coronation Street announces devastating storyline for Liam Connor
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Note: This story discusses topics including suicidal ideation/thoughts and bullying.
Coronation Street spoilers also follow.
Coronation Street has announced a devastating storyline as a result of Liam Connor's recent bullying ordeal.
In the coming weeks, Liam's mental health will hit rock bottom after months of bullying, leading him to contemplate taking his own life.
Despite starting off as friends, Liam became a target for ringleader Mason Radcliffe and a reluctant Dylan Wilson after Mason's vapes landed Liam in hospital.
Related: Coronation Street spoilers – Liam Connor arranges meeting with dangerous Mason
Since then, the bullying has escalated, with Mason and his crew tormenting Liam both online and in person. Viewers even saw Mason threaten Liam with a knife when the latter attempted to stand up for himself.
In next Wednesday's episode (February 14), the depths of Liam's despair will be revealed as he searches online for ways to take his own life.
He is interrupted by his mum, Maria Connor (played by Samia Longchambon), who will create a fake 'SendPx' account to monitor her son, following her suspicions that Liam is being bullied.
It's via this channel that Maria learns the extent of Liam's bullying and the effect it's having on him, and decides he should change schools.
Related: Coronation Street to face another two weeks of major scheduling changes
When his laptop is returned to Weatherfield High, Liam's recent search history will be discovered – but, missing the call from the school, Maria is left in the dark.
Liam's stepdad Gary Windass discovers the urgency of the situation after the school contacts him, and he rushes to find Maria.
Ultimately, Liam will decide against ending his life, but the road to recovery won't be easy for him.
Longchambon reflected on Maria's concern, saying: "I don't think she will be able to leave Liam alone without fearing the worst.
"I think the great thing about this storyline is that we are doing it in real time. We aren't rushing this at all and doing everything as it would happen," she added.
Longchambon also noted that Maria's concern is heightened further, and "understandably so", recalling how she and the wider family were affected by Aidan Connor's suicide in 2018.
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She also added: "This is going to be an ongoing issue for Liam. We are considering all options from homeschooling to counselling. Of course when it comes to mental health, there's unfortunately a massively long waiting list."
Coronation Street has been working with the National Bullying Helpline to ensure Liam's story is told authentically and with sensitivity.
"We felt it was important to show the mental damage that bullying can do to people on the receiving end, especially in the modern world, when children are faced with what can seem like inescapable cyber-bullying," explained Iain Macleod, who's ITV's executive producer of continuing drama.
"The aggression doesn't stop at the school gates but can find you in the safety of your own home.
"Having said that, it was also important that across the story as a whole, we showed some hope for Liam and that by speaking up, finally, he can begin the process of escaping his nightmare and beginning to heal."
Coronation Street has been working on Liam's storyline with support from the National Bullying Helpline (0300 323 0169 between 9am-5pm on weekdays, and 10am-12 midday on Saturdays, or email help@nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk).
Further organisations which can offer help include Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393. Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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