Shocking truths

Actor Lucas Hodgson-Wale reveals how his Corrie character will cope with the grooming storyline fallout

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It's only been four months since actor Lucas Hodgson-Wale debuted as Will Driscoll on Coronation Street, but he's already featured in one of the soap's most shocking storylines.

Will, 16, is being groomed by his older sports coach Megan Walsh. The sex abuser, played by Beth Nixon, 25, has gone to great lengths to cover up her inappropriate relationship with her student, and the fact she is now pregnant with his child. As well as a second victim - a former student of Megan's called Lee - being confirmed, the coach is now cruelly threatening teenager Sam Blakeman [Jude Riordan] who has rumbled the truth. While it's a difficult storyline for 17-year-old Lucas to play, he says raising awareness is the "most important part of the job".

"This kind of inappropriate, underage relationship - especially the dynamic of an older woman and a younger guy - isn't talked about as often as it should be," says Lucas. "These issues are happening in the real world. We want to show that no matter the gender or the dynamic, it is never acceptable."