Princess Anne visits Coronation Street set to meet cast involved in acid attack storyline

Jaf Shah, executive director of ASTi, said: “Due to the distressing nature of an acid attack, it can be easier to look away. Coronation Street is to be commended for confronting this particularly brutal form of violence, a single act of violence that carries lifelong consequences.

“Our hope is that the airing of this storyline paves the way to increased understanding of the devastating and complex impact on the lives of survivors. In turn we also hope it will help to amplify and accelerate ASTi’s vision – the absolute necessity to end attacks, thereby preventing further pain and suffering.”

Mr MacLeod said the show was keen to show the long-term reality for acid attack victims.

“It is something we might often read about in the papers but perhaps don’t fully understand, in terms of the depth and variety of effects it can have,” he added.

“As well as the medical impacts, we explore the social fallout of having your appearance profoundly changed, both in terms of your own ability to process that and how the wider world reacts to you. The story will at times be heartbreaking but we felt it was an important one to tell.”

The Princess last visited the Corrie set, in Trafford, Greater Manchester, in April 2016 with a group of Commonwealth leaders.

Queen Elizabeth II was the last Royal to visit, walking the famous cobbles in July 2021, when she described the long-running show as “part of the fabric” of society and said it was “rather remarkable” that it had been running for 60 years.

The late Queen, then 95, was advised not to walk on the cobbles, which are notoriously tricky in heels, telling Kate Spencer, who played Grace Vickers: “I’ve been told. I’d probably better not.”