Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod has defended the intensity of the recent traumatic abuse scenes featuring Yasmeen and Geoff Metcalfe.
Last Friday's (May 1) special episode saw Yasmeen slash Geoff's throat with a broken wine bottle after the evil villain had cornered her in the kitchen, which led to 276 Ofcom complaints.
Speaking to Digital Spy and other media, MacLeod said it "would be wrong" to "sanitise" the very real abuse that goes on every day in people's homes.
Related: Coronation Street boss reveals how coronavirus will be addressed in future episodes
"Some of the reaction has been difficult to hear, as a lot of people have been in touch with myself, Shelley [King] and Ian [Bartholomew] to say how closely it has mirrored their lives," he shared.
"That's always very sobering, but I am glad it means we have told the story with some authenticity. It's really connected with people.
What to Read Next
"Twitter just blew up on Friday after Yasmeen attacked him. It seems to have really struck a chord with the audience."
Related: Coronation Street reveals when Geoff Metcalfe will get his comeuppance
MacLeod went on to admit that "at times it's a very tough watch", but authentically representing these stories inspired by real-life experiences has to be the makers' priority.
"People have been saying that they didn't have any idea that this goes on, which is partly why we told the story," he added. "Emotional abuse isn't necessarily something you see on TV very often.
"It felt that to water it down or to sanitise it, or to do a half-hearted version of it, would be wrong and slightly insulting to people who have been through it in real life. We were aware it would be challenging, but the audience reaction tells us that we got it right."
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV.
Digital Spy now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage
Coronation Street X Joanie - Gilroy Retro Newton And Ridley Sweatshirt
![The Road to Coronation Street [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1568634215-51d4CaKIrCL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Road to Coronation Street [DVD]")
![The Stars of Coronation Street - 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1568634418-51we2BNTW1yL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Stars of Coronation Street - 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters [DVD]")
ITV The Stars of Coronation Street - 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters [DVD]
Want up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
