Writers on the show consulted the Salvation Army charity, which supports modern slavery survivors and set up the meeting with J.
#Sonia actress coronation street free#
"Our research has shown us that in many towns and cities across Britain, people are being forced to work against their will, living in extreme poverty and in fear for their safety, all so ruthless criminal gangs can get rich at their expense."īritain is home to at least 136,000 modern slaves, according to the Global Slavery Index by rights group Walk Free Foundation, many of whom work in businesses ranging from nail bars to hand car washes to farms. "We are keen to highlight that slavery hides in plain sight," said show producer Colin McLeod in a statement. The modern slavery storyline will see regular character Seb Franklin, played by Harry Visinoni, fall for a nail salon worker Alina, played by Romanian actress Ruxandra Porojnicu, only to gradually discover she is a victim of a human trafficking ring. It is among Britain's most popular soap operas, with millions tuning in each week. "Coronation Street" has been running since 1960 and shows working-class communities in the fictional northern English town of Weatherfield. "It might challenge people's idea of what trafficking is – if it can happen in 'Coronation Street' it can happen anywhere." "Modern slavery looks really different to the common perception of it," said a former trafficking victim, identified only as J, who advised producers on the show and the actress playing the victim. LONDON, April 22 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - British soap opera "Coronation Street" will begin a storyline on modern slavery on Monday, highlighting the plight of tens of thousands trapped in abusive work conditions across the country.Ĭampaigners and slavery survivors have praised the storyline, which revolves around a nail salon worker trafficked by an Eastern European slavery ring, for showing a realistic image of the crime and raising awareness among viewers. She said she had continued to enjoy her celebrity status long after her stints on the famous cobbled Street and also as Aunty Wainwright, the money-grabbing junk shop owner, on 'Last of the Summer Wine', from 1988 to 2010.The storyline revolves around a nail salon worker trafficked by an Eastern European slavery ring Mrs Hearld - one of Alexander's few relatives - paid tribute to her aunt. "There was nothing telling us anything was wrong - she was just generally weak and under the weather. She was feeling a little bit poorly but she was talking to me and my husband quite happily. "I saw her last week when we went to see her in hospital.
![sonia actress coronation street sonia actress coronation street](https://assets.mycast.io/actor_images/actor-sonia-ibrahim-69959_large.jpeg)
![sonia actress coronation street sonia actress coronation street](https://images.stv.tv/player/w680xh380/622258-untitled.jpeg)
Mrs Hearld, of Selby, North Yorkshire, said: "My aunt died sadly earlier today." She had been admitted to Southport hospital for tests but was discharged after a couple of days and allowed to return to her nursing home, her niece Sonia Hearld said.īut on Tuesday Alexander was readmitted to hospital, where she later died peacefully yesterday. Former 'Coronation Street' actress Jean Alexander died yesterday aged 90.Īlexander, who played the much-loved character Hilda Ogden between 19, died in hospital, three days after her 90th birthday.