Coronation Street newcomer Ben Cartwright thinks it is incredibly important that the popular soap tackles relevant subjects like the ongoing grooming storyline.
Cartwright, who plays corrupt and sleazy police officer Neil Clifton on the show, says he hopes both his character and Bethany Platt's (Lucy Fallon) fiancé Nathan Curtis (Chris Harper), will change people's views of how a perpetrator should look or act.
"It’s to bring it to people’s attention and it’s also to change people’s perception of who the perpetrators are. The casting of Chris Harper (Nathan) has been really good - a handsome chap that comes across as extremely charismatic but he also has an element about him that puts your feelers up that something is not quite right.
"It’s important to show that it's not just internet weirdos who hide behind a computer with their greasy hair and long fingernails and it's important to show that the character of Bethany is not a fool, she's not a gullible young girl but this has happened to her when she is an intelligent, free spirited teenager.
"Actually these people are very manipulative and very clever and with anything in terms of abuse, it brings it into people's’ consciousness."
Cartwright says he had reservations about taking on such a dark role but admits he is glad an important topic has been brought to viewers' attention.
"Being married with a young family, my initial concern was over my personal welfare but I am incredibly grateful that I did take the role because the response has been really positive from people that have recognised me playing a character and appreciating how amazing the storyline has been, how brilliantly it has been handled, how convincing it has been and what an important story it is to bring to everyone’s attention.
"So from initially having my own personal reservations it has actually been the polar opposite. It serves the survivors of this situation a disservice if you don’t do it properly so I felt duty-bound to do it and to the best of my ability," he added.
Coronation Street continues on TV3 and ITV on Monday at 7.30pm.
