Corrie's homophobic birthday

Tuesday 13th July 2010 - 12:30:06

'Coronation Street' will feature a major homophobic storyline involving the Barlow family to mark its 50th birthday celebrations later this year.

'Coronation Street' bosses are planning a controversial homophobic storyline involving Ken Barlow to coincide with the show's 50th birthday.

Weatherfield legend Ken - who is played by 78-year-old Bill Roache in the ITV soap - will be thrilled to discover his long lost son Lawrence, but his dreams of playing happy families are dashed when he discovers his offspring is a homophobic bully who calls his own gay son James a "degenerate".

A source told The People newspaper: "Lawrence hates gays and Ken is disgusted by his attitude.

Lawrence is a complete bigot and the language he uses will leave some viewers furious.

"Lawrence is a complete bigot and the language he uses will leave some viewers furious."

In one scene Lawrence admits he is proud of his homophobia when he says: "I'm just a bigoted homophobe. I hate queers. That's what I am and it took my gay son to prove it to the world."

The storyline will be a family affair for actor Bill as his real-life sons Linus, 46 and James, 24 will play Lawrence and James.

Meanwhile, Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand has revealed a wish to help mark the soap's landmark age by appearing in the show and taking on troubled David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd).

Rio said: "I wouldn't mind getting hold of that David Platt. He is too naughty. I would love to come in and be the hard taskmaster and tell him to leave that Tina alone."