There's a very sad story coming up within the next few weeks for Steve and Michelle when Coronation Street explores late miscarriage. Michelle is going to lose her baby at 23 weeks.
ITV is working with Stillbirth and Neonatal death charity called Sands to make sure they're getting the storyline right.
Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle, said: “I thought long and hard before agreeing to take on the challenge of this storyline. It is obviously a cause very close to my heart having lost my beautiful Archie at 21 weeks and 5 days. I discussed it with my family and friends, all of who were very supportive.
“In the end I felt it was an important story to tell in order to raise awareness of something which affects thousands of women every year.
“I have had to go to some very dark places in my mind whilst filming these heartbreaking scenes but my family, friends and colleagues have been incredible. Losing a child is something that never leaves you so to revisit those feelings as Michelle has been challenging.
“Coronation Street ensured that I had a counsellor on set at all times to go to after filming the scenes but for me the best tonic after a hugely emotional day was to go home to my kids and be reminded of how lucky I am to have them.
“I am very proud of what we have done with this storyline and I hope it helps raise awareness and helps people to talk about their own experiences.”
Late miscarriage is not rare but it's also not overly common. At and after 24 weeks, it is considered a stillbirth, which is what Maria Connor experienced when she had to give birth to a baby that had already died. The story will start the week of January 9 and will have a devastating effect on both Michelle and Steve, who we viewers know is also the father of Leanne Battersby's baby. What this will mean for them remains to be seen.
I have to say I have great respect for Kym Marsh. Tackling this storyline would be tough for anyone but Kym lost a child herself at 21 weeks and 5 days a few years ago. She has relived the most difficult time of her life while filming this storyline but believed it would help others. I know she'll pull out all the stops.
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6 comments:
How very brave of Kim Marsh. I had thought that this was a possible storyline but dismissed it because of the fact that it was too close to home for her. I'd imagine that it will be very sensitively handled under the personal circumstances.
That should be pretty close to Leanne's due date. I'm not a fan of Michelle but this should be very good. Respect to Kym Marsh for doing taking on what must be very painful personal story. And I do hope Steve finally grows up.
Total respect for Kym Marsh for doing this, but didn't they already explore this with Maria years ago?
Kym's very brave to do this, total respect to her, but really, how much misery do we viewers want to see? Last night's episode was miserable enough. We've got Bethany's abuse, fallout from Peter and Toyah (I thought Simon was brilliant last night!), whatever further misery is going to be inflicted on us by Phelan, and now this.
I'm not soft, but really hate anything to do with children dying in soaps. Would anyone who had been through this in real life really want to see it on screen?
They did do similar with Maria but this time, there will be Steve's child with Leanne to consider as well and that will mean big repercussions. It might give Nick a break from fussing over Peter for a change and focussing his jealousy on Steve I suppose.
And it will also give Michelle an excuse to turn to Robert......I don't like the storyline idea of losing a child. Can we have some happiness for once as it seems to have been a year of misery on corrie.
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