The Princess Royal is a Patron of The Acid Survivors Trust International.

By Helen Daly

Published: Monday, 20 March 2023 at 12:00 am


This article includes discussions around stalking and violence which some readers may find upsetting.

The Princess Royal visited Coronation Street today (Monday 20th March) ahead of the ITV soap’s acid attack storyline.

Viewers will see in upcoming weeks that stalker Justin‘s behaviour will become more unhinged as his obsession with Daisy spirals out of control. After getting arrested and released for his involvement with Daisy, he will then turn on the subject of his infatuations and in an act of revenge, plan to throw acid on her during her wedding day.

Princess Anne is a Patron of The Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI), who have been helping the soap to build the plot.

Her Royal Highness was able to view some upcoming scenes before meeting producer Iain MacLeod and cast members involved in the storyline including Charlotte Jordan (Daisy), Ryan Prescott (Ryan), Andrew Still (Justin), Rob Mallard (Daniel) and Sally Ann Matthews (Jenny).

Script writers, members of the story team and the make-up department also spoke to her about the hard-hitting plot.

John Whiston, head of ITV in the north/MD continuing drama and MacLeod led the Princess Royal around the set.

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Princess Anne visits Coronation Street.

Speaking about the visit, Whiston said: “Working with ASTI on this storyline has been invaluable to all of us. HRH’s patronage of the charity is clearly of huge importance to both Her Royal Highness and the charity and it was an absolute honour to have them join us at Coronation Street today.

“The visit gave both cast and colleagues the chance to discuss how they have worked together to create and portray such a delicate and important storyline, an opportunity none of us will forget.”

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Jordan has previously said of the plot: “When I was first told about this storyline, I really didn’t see this coming. It’s not something you see a lot on television so I was really surprised.

“There is a fear lurking in the back of Daisy’s mind since Justin was released on bail. She has always been thinking, ‘Will Justin retaliate in some way?’ Seeing him again after he has been warned multiple times by officials to stay away from her, she is certainly scared of how he is going to react. I don’t think Daisy really thought about how obsessed Justin was going to become.”

Coronation Street is working with The Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) on its upcoming storyline. You can visit the charity’s website, and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, for more information and support on matters raised in this article.