Tina O’Brien has spoken out about Coronation Street’s botched surgery storyline, which has seen her on-screen daughter Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) given life-changing news after undergoing liposuction.
Recent scenes saw Bethany be told she will need a stoma bag for the rest of her life following the botched procedure at a Turkish clinic.
Not only have her family faced anguish over her health, they have also been hit with the news that Bethany did not declare the operation to her travel insurance, and they will have to cover the £25,000 medical bill for her subsequent care themselves.
Tina, who plays Sarah Platt on the ITV soap, admits her character is also worried about the judgement Bethany will face when people find out what has happened.
She says: ‘Sarah isn’t embarrassed by what Bethany has done but she’s really hurt, I think she’s scared of the judgement she will face after doing this but I don’t think she’ll actively try to hide it.
‘She just thinks “why Bethany?” that’s her daughter, and she’s absolutely perfect in every single way with the most beautiful figure, so it hurts her that Bethany didn’t feel as if she was good enough and if anything, Sarah feels a bit responsible as she just thinks “Oh my God, have I not made her feel good enough about herself?” because she’s just so beautiful.’
Sarah also fears judgement herself, Tina reveals, as the Platts turn to the residents of Weatherfield to help raise the cash to pay the medical bill through Daniel Osbourne’s (Rob Mallard) crowdfunder.
Bethany has been left with a stoma following the botched op (Picture: ITV)
Her family has to foot the bill for her medical care (Picture: ITV)
Tina says: ‘Everyday she’s seeing the money going up and up in the hospital by thousands of pounds. Sarah also knows that it’s difficult to even ask people for money because there’s a cost of living crisis so people are already strapped for money.
‘She’s also aware of the judgement that will come with this, because people will see it as Bethany bringing this on herself.’
When her mum Gail Platt (Helen Worth) later offers to sell the family home to raise the cash, Tina says Sarah feels ‘gutted and guilty’.
‘She feels a lot of emotions, especially because she’s also carrying that burden for Bethany because she knows how devastated she will feel when she finds out what people have been trying to do to look after her,’ Tina explains.
‘Sarah definitely feels a mix of emotions, she’s gutted and guilty that it’s come to this but she also feels really relieved and understood from her family, especially Gail.’
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
