The actress who plays Nina Lucas in Coronation Street has spoken about working with 'inspiring' Sylvia Lancaster on the show's recent hate crime storyline.
Talking on today's episode of Loose Women, actress Mollie Gallagher, whose character has recently been a victim of a hate crime based on the Sophie Lancaster murder, has spoken about how 'amazing and inspiring' Sophie's mother Sylvia had been in helping the show do the storyline justice.
Top left, Mollie Gallagher on Loose Women, bottom left, Sophie Lancaster and, right, mum Sylvia
Mollie said: "It is absolutely awful, this does happen and has happened.
"I have had Zooms with Sylvia who is absolutely amazing and completely inspiring and she did a presentation with us and gave any advice we needed.
"A lot of the research I got from Sylvia as well as finding stuff online.
"She was amazing and I am really grateful to have worked with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation."
Sophie Lancaster, from Bacup, was a 20-year-old goth who was murdered in an unprovoked attack in 2007 because of the way she dressed.
She and her boyfriend Robert Maltby, who was 21, were set upon by a group of drunk teenagers in Stubbylee Park because of their alternative appearance.
Ms Lancaster was kicked and stamped on as she cradled the injured Mr Maltby.
Sophie Lancaster
Both fell into comas and Robert survived the attack but Sophie sadly died in hospital 13 days later.
Her mother set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation in her daughter’s memory to focus on creating respect for, and understanding of, subcultures.
Coronation Street's Nina Lucas and Seb Franklin (Harry Visinoni) faced a similar fate in the show, with Seb dying in Friday's show from his injuries.
Nina Lucas played by Mollie Gallagher and Seb Franklin played by Harry Visinoni
The show has been working with Sylvia and the foundation to do the storyline in a sensitive and meaningful manner.
Mollie added: "Speaking to Sylvia you realise how shocking it is and how much it does happen and how it shouldn't be happening.
Sylvia Lancaster
"I am so proud to be part of it and helping create awareness."
She added: "I am so passionate about it, I hope that shows and I do find it really hard to disconnect."
The Sophie Lancaster Foundation took to Twitter on Friday to thank the show for how well they dealt with the storyline.
They said: "We couldn’t have asked any more from the writers at @itvcorrie, the production team, the cast and crew. Thank you for your sensitivity and desire to do the story justice."
The storyline continues on tonight's episode as Roy Cropper (David Nielson) will try to comfort Nina who remains in hospital following the attack.
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