Corrie's Ian Bartholomew on what it's like to play 'Britain's most hated man'
He plays the role of Geoff Metcalfe on the soap
In its 59 years on our screens, Coronation Street has served up its fair share of soap villains. Who can forget serial killer Richard Hillman? Or the the villainous Pat Phelan? Well 2020 saw the turn of Geoff Metcalfe, played by actor Ian Bartholomew, in a story line which saw his character become one of the most 'hated men in Britain'.
Ian's character Geoff has been bullying and abusing his wife Yasmeen, in one of the most harrowing domestic abuse story lines in soap history.
And as Yasmeen is currently on trial after lashing out at Geoff following months of abuse, actor Ian has spoken about his portrayal of Geoff, what effect it's had on his own family, and how he deals with being 'hated' by viewers.
When asked if he was 'concerned' about portraying such an evil character, Ian said, "Yes, of course. When, by way of the television, you’re invited into people’s homes several times a week, and then behave appallingly as Geoff does, you have to be prepared to be thoroughly disliked, and consequently put up with a bit of flak from the audience now and then.
"Happily I can say that as yet I haven’t been ‘handbagged’ or shouted at in the street, thank goodness but I’m aware of how much Geoff is hated. But I console myself by remembering that it’s not me they all hate, it’s Geoff. More importantly, I think about the positive implications of telling this story to a wider public."
Despite this, the actor did admit his 12-year-old son doesn't like watching his dad play the role of Geoff, adding, 'As for my family, they understand that it’s what I do for a living. Over the years they’ve seen me play all sorts of characters, nasty and nice, but my 12 year old son doesn’t like watching someone who looks like Dad being horrible to his friend Shelley on the telly. And you know, that’s absolutely fine by me. "
The hard-hitting storyline has been widely praised by fans for covering such a topic, so it's no surprise Ian and his co-star Shelley King (Yasmeen Nazir) are proud.
Ian said, "You can’t help feeling proud when you learn how people are responding to this storyline. It’s been a tough and emotionally draining ride, but the thing that’s kept Shelley King who plays Yasmeen and myself going, is the responsibility we have as actors to tell the story of these two unhappy and lonely people, and to shine a light on the terrible and cowardly crime of coercive control.
"To be a part of the team of writers, story-liners, producers and actors addressing such an important issue in Coronation Street, a well-loved and hugely popular programme, is a privilege. Knowing that we are helping women and men who are affected by this kind of abuse in some way, and making our general audience more aware of if at the same time, is reward enough in itself."
Meanwhile, with Yasmeen still in police custody, next week on Coronation Street Geoff begins to destroy evidence that could be used against him.
Check out all of next week's Coronation Street spoilers below:
With Yasmeen still in custody and Geoff finally discharged from hospital, he logs into his laptop to delete the footage of their final fight.
But just as he is clearing the evidence, Tim lets himself into number six and Geoff clamours to cover up what he's been doing.
Has Geoff been busted by Tim?
Elsewhere, Imran has been looking into Geoff's accounts and tells Alya he's found a number of strange transactions at a bar in town.
Alya and Imran confront Yasmeen with what they've found and she admits Geoff has been frequenting escorts. Alya is horrified but pleased they have something concrete for Yasmeen's case.
With his dirty secret exposed, Geoff worries about the affect it will have on his image in court and has to think quickly when his family arrive.
Geoff tells Tim and Sally that he was forced to use prostitutes when Yasmeen vindictively denied him sex. Tim is satisfied that this will be evidence against Yasmeen...
...but Sally is disgusted by her father-in-law's actions. Geoff goes to the police to discuss the new evidence and Alya frets that they've played into his hands.
David is franticly searching for Shona when Roy finds her looking bewildered by the bins 'round the back of the café.
Roy invites her to come inside even though it's clear she doesn't know who she is. David is relieved to receive the call from Roy saying that Rhona is safe and they take her back to the facility.
Later, Roy calls the rehab centre and offers Shona a place to stay at his flat. Shona and Alice visit Roy to take a look around the flat.
But when the oven timer goes off and Shona reaches in with her bare hand, Alice and Roy exchange looks - it's clear Shona is far from recovered.
Meanwhile, Leanne arrives home with Oliver, thrilled to have her family back together and convinced everything can go back to normal again.
But when Nick offers an extra hand looking after Oliver, Leanne's mood darkens as she thinks he belives she's incapable of caring for her own child.
Elsewhere, Adam points out Kelly to Imran and says that Gary has been acting strangely protective of her and he doesn't know why.
As Imran approaches Kelly to ask how he might be able to get in contact with her dad, Gary watches from the other side of the street.
After forcing Asha to change schools over the bullying, Dev finally agrees to lay off a bit when Nina convinces him he's done enough.
Asha, Summer and Nina are hanging out in Victoria Gardens when they spot Corey and his mates hanging out too.
Mustering all the courage she can, Asha marches straight up to the group and lays into Corey for what he's done. Nina and Summer are impressed by their friend's nerve.
Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, Coronation Street is currently airing three times per week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30pm on ITV.