Eagle-eyed Coronation Street fans have expressed their frustration after spotting what they've described as a 'blatant and jarring' production error during a recent episode of the long-running ITV soap.
The Corner Shop Controversy
During last Wednesday's instalment of the show, which aired on 19 November, viewers witnessed a scene featuring Gemma Winter-Brown (played by Dolly-Rose Campbell) working at D&A Alahan's Corner Shop. The scene involved Gemma serving school sports coach Megan (Beth Nixon) and teenager Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale), who are central to the programme's current disturbing grooming storyline.
In the sequence, the pair placed a sandwich and a bag of crisps on the counter, which Gemma proceeded to scan. However, sharp-witted viewers quickly noticed something was amiss with the props used in the scene.
What Exactly Did Viewers Spot?
Fans took to social media to point out that the sandwich packet Gemma scanned was visibly empty and, more noticeably, didn't even feature a barcode. One alert viewer captured the moment on TikTok with the caption: 'What did she scan?' prompting widespread discussion among the soap's dedicated fanbase.
The revelation sparked considerable reaction in comment sections, with one frustrated fan writing: 'Does my head in, especially with the blatant empty coffee cups - at least have water in them. It's so jarring.'
Another commented: 'I noticed this and had to rewind just to make sure,' while others simply noted: 'No barcode' and 'Spotted this too. At least try!'
Some viewers came to the show's defence, with remarks such as: 'Guys it's only acting' and 'It's a TV programme,' though the blunder clearly distracted many from the serious nature of the scene's context.
Background to the Troubling Storyline
The scene occurred within the framework of one of Coronation Street's most hard-hitting current narratives - a stomach-churning paedophilia storyline involving 15-year-old Will and his sports coach Megan.
As viewers know, Will's family remain completely unaware that the sports coach is systematically grooming him. The storyline has left many viewers feeling unsettled, with some taking to Twitter/X previously to express their discomfort.
One viewer commented: 'I miss when the soaps were fun, so bleak these days, now the grooming FFS,' while another noted: 'This whole athletics coach/team/meetings angle is really dodgy to me.'
In the episode, teacher Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) became suspicious of Megan and questioned her about being new to the area. She explained she was based in Hull but travelled to Weatherfield several times weekly to train Will.
The schoolboy and his family joined the Coronation Street cast earlier this month, with the grooming storyline developing after Will failed to return from a school trip on time.
In disturbing scenes, the paedophile coach has been shown assuring the vulnerable teenager that their inappropriate relationship can continue if he follows her instructions, leaving viewers on edge about whether the grooming will be discovered by Will's concerned family.
Coronation Street continues to air every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on ITV1 and is available for streaming on ITVX.
