Coronation Street receives multiple complaints after comments on IVF

The scene in question aired last week.

Coronation Street received multiple complaints last week when a scene on the show made a 'joke' about IVF. It came after one of the soap's characters, Evelyn Plummer, was discussing another character, Gemma, giving birth to quadruplets. She appeared to make an insensitive remark about IVF saying: "You can’t move for twins and triplets these days. At least she did it the old-fashioned way and not through, what’s it, IVF." This caused outrage online, especially since it was National Fertility Awareness Week in the UK. Many took to social media to say that IVF isn't a choice and for many couples it's the only way they can conceive a child. Tone Jarvis-Mack, of The Fertility Foundation, told The Mirror:

"It’s sad to see a popular show making such disparaging ­comments on a subject that affects one in six people who’d love to have a baby the old-fashioned way. "I’d have hoped the ­researchers would have taken the time to understand the ­emotional roller coaster couples are on when facing the fact the only way to start a family is through IVF."

Ofcom has since received more than 60 complaints about the scene and are currently "assessing" them before taking matters further.