Coronation Street fans were shocked when they learnt that Sally Webster’s breast cancer diagnosis was part of a disgusting prank.
Sally had appeared on Weatherfield Radio to talk about her seven years in remission.
She also revealed that after receiving a mammogram a few weeks ago, she’d been given the all-clear.
But she then received an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be from Weatherfield General.
Sally was seen in tears when the caller told her that the the cancer had returned.
Her daughters Rosie and Sophie found out that the caller was actually a sick troll after hearing a recording of the conversation online. They broke the news to their distraught mum.
Viewers were outraged. “There are some extraordinarily sick minded people in the world and what happened to Sally on #Corrie is an example of that,” wrote one fan on Twitter.
Others slammed the storyline as insensitive. “I’m so shocked how #Corrie let people make a joke of cancer… poor Sally! Didn’t think it was still a thing making fun of cancer,” wrote one.
“Very disappointed with the ‘sick’ cancer prank on #Corrie – absolutely appalling storyline. You’ve sunk to a new low,” added another.
“Tonight’s storyline Sally’s prank cancer call was v insensitive to those poor people going through this in real life!!” added another.
Sally Dynevor, who battled breast cancer in the same year as her character, explained that the storyline exposed the harm that trolls can cause.
“This is the sort of thing that goes on all the time, especially for young people on mobile phones,” she told Inside Soap. “I’ve found it difficult as it’s a hard storyline, but it is essential we tell this story.
“She can’t believe anyone would want to cause her so much pain and worry. It’s the worst thing you could do. Sally just wants to give up and not leave the house.”
The actress had chemotherapy and radiotherapy after her own shock cancer diagnosis, and took a six-month break from the soap opera, returning in 2010.
She admitted that she thought the doctor had made a mistake and got her confused with her character.