Coronation Street reveals big story for Gemma and Aled this year

Coronation Street has confirmed that a big storyline for Gemma Winter and her deaf son Aled is coming up in 2022.

Young Aled was given a cochlear implant last year to help him to hear, which came after a dramatic storyline involving Freda Burgess trying to stop it going ahead.

Speaking to Digital Spy and other media, show producer Iain MacLeod has unveiled a new storyline involving Gemma trying to be an ally to the deaf community, though her pursuit causes a big public incident.

ITV

"There is a story next year where Gemma, in her eagerness to be an ally to the deaf community, ends up in classic Gemma fashion going ever slightly too far in pursuit of a very admirable goal," he explained.

"It ends up in a significant incident of public disorder. Gemma never quite knows when to quit or close the gob! In setting out to make the world a better place for Aled, she ultimately will succeed in increments, but on the way there, she will lay waste to a lot of relationships and all the rest of it."

MacLeod expressed hope that it will "not feel at all worthy or didactic or like we're trying to wag our finger about disability awareness", adding: "It feels very Coronation Street and Gemma-driven, but at the bottom of it, I think there is a really important story to tell about access for disabled and deaf children.

ITV

"With a light touch, we like to tell stories that can provoke important conversations out in the world. I think this will probably be one of those if we do it right," he continued. "It's fantastic because the actors themselves have learned to Sign.

"Dolly Rose [Campbell, who plays Gemma], in particular, is incredibly proficient and has taken it upon herself. Obviously we initially facilitated the lessons, but since then she's taking it on and doing loads more in her own time. She's taking exams and qualifications in BSL."

He added: "Everyone in that family has thrown themselves into it with gusto and it matters a lot to them."

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7.30pm on ITV.