Fans of Coronation Street have voiced their dissatisfaction with the recent blackmail storyline on the iconic cobbles, labelling it as ‘not okay’. Weatherfield has been a hub of drama this week, with a hit-and-run incident endangering the lives of David Platt and Daisy Midgeley.
As regular watchers of the ITV soap will be aware, the car crash was a desperate act by David, played by Jack P Shepherd, to repay the debt he owes to criminal Harvey Gaskell. The large sum of money was initially offered to David’s sister Sarah Platt by her former lover, Damon Hay, who is also Harvey’s brother.
This offer was made after Damon discovered about the failed surgery undergone by Sarah’s daughter Bethany in Turkey. However, David intercepted the money, planning to use it to buy his mother Gail’s house as she intended to leave Weatherfield following her wedding to Jesse Chadwick.
Gail left in December after spending 50 years on the Cobbles. In Monday night’s episode (March 3), viewers saw David being confronted by ex-prison mate Andy Garland, for whom he had been carrying out illegal tasks. Andy pulled out a knife and alleged that Harvey wanted David dead for his life insurance payout, reports Plymouth Live.
David, having just returned from a court hearing where his stepson Max Turner was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison for arson, successfully defended himself against Andy. However, later in the episode, David was called back to the salon with a startling proposition – to commit suicide as the only way to safeguard his family.
In Wednesday night’s episode of Coronation Street (March 5), viewers witnessed David’s plan take shape. He spent time writing letters to his loved ones and chatting with his grandmother, Audrey Roberts.
His internal monologue could be heard as he counted down to 2pm, the time he had set for Andy to hit him with a car on the street. As the pivotal moment neared, David positioned himself in the middle of the road.
A car raced towards him, and Shona watched in horror as David was struck, with Daisy Midgeley also involved in the accident. Both were quickly rushed to hospital, with David’s life hanging by a thread.
Medical personnel had to revive him before performing emergency surgery and inducing a coma. In Friday’s episode (March 7), the Platt family breathed a sigh of relief as David emerged from his coma.
However, Shona was soon thrown into despair when she discovered that David had planned the attempt on his own life. David clarified that his aim was for the Platts to use his life insurance to pay off Harvey after his death, thereby securing everyone’s safety.
David found himself unable to escape Harvey’s manipulative grip, while Shona, consumed by sorrow, took a drastic step. She stormed into Daisy’s hospital room after Daisy suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage due to the crash, demanding £40,000 from her to settle Harvey’s demands.
She threatened to reveal Daisy’s involvement with Debbie Webster’s stolen car, initially taken by Daniel Osbourne. Upon realising what Daisy had endured, Shona apologised and left in a state of regret. However, Daisy resolved to send the money to Shona to evade potential prison time for herself and Daniel.
This turn of events on Coronation Street left viewers alarmed and confused. @TVMusings22 expressed shock, tweeting: “Wow Shona blackmailing Daisy after what she’s just had to go through! Nah I’m not okay with this #corrie.”
Similarly, @Phoenix_Gsds voiced their discontent: “Right! It’s not like it was the Platts money and Daisy may have knocked Shona down but it’s David’s fault that Daisy’s now in hospital!”.
Viewers, such as @missmollybruton, struggled to keep track of the financial repercussions, commenting: “So all this money shifting means that now Daisy/Jenny are in debt to Daniel. He owns the pub. Shona has £40k to pay Harvey and Carla has her money back as well? (I think????? ) #corrie.”
Meanwhile, @grimgda62 sought further explanation, asking: “Has Daisy paid off Carla or has she just given £40k to Shona at this point? I got lost as well..”
Twitter user @Sophiegracei shared her bewilderment online, posting: “I’m so confused- if Daisy owed Carla all this money how is she now affording to pay Shona £40K? Or is it because Daniel sent her the money to pay Carla and she’s using that and then giving him the rest back? ? But then Carla isn’t getting her money? ? ! ! #corrie someone help.”
This was followed by another tweet from user @topcac, which read: “So let me get this straight. Daisy giving Shona £40k and the rest goes back to Daniel and then it’s over. Finished. And Carla still DOESN’T HAVE HER MONEY!!!! #Corrie.”
