Coronation Street is facing a number of complaints over a comment made by character Evelyn Plummer regarding the conception of babies through IVF.
The character, played by Maureen Lipman, made the remark when talking about cobbles resident Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell), who recently gave birth to quadruplets.
"I'm quite surprised it made the paper 'cause you can’t move for twins and triplets these days," Evelyn said on the soap while discussing Gemma's new babies. "At least she did it the old-fashioned way and not through, what's it, IVF." None of the other characters in the scene reacted to her comment.
According to The Mirror, Ofcom has received over 50 complaints and a spokesperson for The Fertility Foundation has also responded to the line, which featured in an episode aired during Fertility Awareness Week.
Tone Jarvis-Mack said: "It's sad to see a popular show making such disparaging comments on a subject that affects one in six people who'd love to have a baby the old-fashioned way.
"I'd have hoped the researchers would have taken the time to understand the emotional roller coaster couples are on when facing the fact the only way to start a family is through IVF."
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Digital Spy has reached out to ITV for comment.
Several Corrie fans took to Twitter to complain about the remark, calling it "insensitive". One wrote: "Shout out to all my infertility warriors who are pissed off with the insensitive scripting on coronationstreet tonight. ITV shame on you, it's infertility awareness week NOT mock the infertiles!"
Another said: "Bit of unnecessary ivf shaming on Corrie tonight... folk don't turn to ivf because it's modern... it's because they want a family. poor show".
Ofcom has said that they are "assessing these complaints before deciding whether to investigate".
Coronation Street airs on ITV.
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