Deaf News: ITV’s Coronation Street to introduce new deafness storyline

ITV soap Coronation Street is to introduce a story around caring for a deaf child, it has been revealed.

Parents Chesney and Gemma, who recently gave birth to baby boy Aled, are to learn that he has been born deaf in future episodes of the programme.

Speaking to Digital Spy, a spokesperson for the show said: “This is a very important story to tell and will resonate with many parents who have gone through their children being diagnosed with hearing problems and the challenges that this throws up for the child, the parents and the whole family.”

It’s been reported that Trafford Deaf Children’s Society and Great Ormond Street Hospital have worked with writers on the storyline to ensure its accuracy.

Both organisations have been contacted by The Limping Chicken for comment.

Corrie will be the latest show to feature a character with deafness, with EastEnders and Hollyoaks also featuring individuals with hearing loss.

In the Channel 4 soap opera last year, teenager Yasmine Maalik was left deaf following a bomb blast, while on Albert Square, Phil Mitchell’s son Ben wears a hearing aid as a result of contracting meningitis as a baby.

Early last year, Max Bowden – the latest actor to play Ben Mitchell on the BBC show – had to confirm that the character was still deaf when he made his debut, after his hearing aid wasn’t visible on-screen in initial scenes.

The star responded online to one viewer in April, confirming the character “still has a hearing aid” and attaching a photo of the device in his left ear.

Meanwhile, in other Coronation Street news, a video showing sign language interpreter Alex Duguid accepting his MBE from the Duke of Cambridge went viral on social media earlier this week.

Alex received the honour for “services to Deaf People and British Sign Language Education”, with Prince William signing his congratulations during the ceremony.

Speaking to ITV News Tyne Tees last year when he received the news of his award, Alex said he “couldn’t believe it”.

“I read through and it was from the Cabinet Service, and I was like, ‘oh, what’s this? Have I done something wrong?’

“I had a look, opened it all out, and I was so shocked to be reading through it, I had to read it twice,” he said.

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Update: Commenting on the news, the National Deaf Children’s Society have said it is “fantastic to see deafness represented on a major programme” such as Coronation Street.

Steve Haines, Director at the charity, said: “Deafness is underrepresented on-screen and often misunderstood when it is, so the show must ensure it’s accurately portrayed.

“Deaf children and young people also need role models on TV and deaf characters can help increase the public’s understanding and awareness of deafness.

“Nine out of ten deaf children are born to hearing parents, like Gemma and Chesney, who have no knowledge or experience of deafness. This can be a difficult time, but the National Deaf Children’s Society is here to provide help and support.”

He went on to add that any parents experiencing a similar situation to Gemma and Chesney, or anyone needing advice and support can contact the charity’s Helpline.

They can be reached by phone on 0808 800 8880, SMS and BSL Interpreter Now, with more options available on their website at ndcs.org.uk.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and blogger from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.