Coronation Street character to be stabbed
Pictures show the dramatic moment that Alya Nazir is stabbed while battling a crazed knifeman who is intent on killing Maria Connor in Coronation Street.
The incident occurs at Speed Daal where an event is being held to highlight the Weatherfield refugee drop-in centre that Cllr Connor has been campaigning for.
As a hate-filled Blake (Adam Little) live streams his intent to disrupt the event, Max (Paddy Bever) sees that he has a knife and runs to Speed Daal to warn everyone.
When Gary (Mikey North) blocks him from entering the restaurant Max can only watch from the doorway as Blake goes for Maria (Samia Longchambon) with the blade. After spotting what’s happening, Alya (Sair Khan) jumps in front of Blake and he stabs her in the stomach.
As she falls to the floor the horrified guests realise what is happening and run out into the street as Gary and Daryan (Twana Omer) battle with Blake who is still brandishing the knife.
Alya is rushed to hospital for a life saving operation.
The attack marks the climax of a hard hitting storyline which has highlighted the grooming of disenfranchised and impressionable young men.
It depicted the “traditional” recruitment techniques of extremist groups, with Max being befriended by older, mentor-like figures who gave him a sense of loyalty and brotherhood.
Max became more estranged from his family and fell under the spell of Griff who used his video and computer skills to spread their racist propaganda.
As soon as Max realised Griff’s true intention, he alerted the residents to a bomb planted in Speed Daal’s van, and Alya saved dozens of lives by driving the vehicle away. But in a shocking twist for the teenager he is arrested this week as Blake makes it clear that it was Max’s videos that inspired him to carry out the shocking attack.
Max will try to explain his involvement with the group to David and the police in upcoming episodes, as he faces a lengthy jail sentence for inciting murder.
Producer Iain Macleod said:
“We are exploring a very 21st Century problem: teenagers self-radicalising through watching extreme content online. In the end, we wanted this to be a story about communication within families – what are the right and wrong ways to talk to younger family members who are gravitating towards extreme views?”
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV and STV
