Dylan’s alarming realisation about Betsy’s stroke in Coronation Street leaves him terrified for the future
When the news reached Coronation Street’s Dylan Wilson (Liam McCheyne) that Betsy Swain (Sydney Martin) had suffered a stroke as a result of non-fatal strangulation, his immediate response was to claim he wasn’t responsible for it.
The youngster experienced a stroke in her home, and then another one in hospital.
After some tests, Betsy and her loved ones learnt that the damage to her neck, and temporary loss of circulation, had been sustained as a result of Dylan putting pressure on the body part while they were having sex.
DS Lisa Connor-Swain (Vicky Myers) told the police about Dylan being responsible, which led to him being questioned. Afterwards, Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) suggested that someone else was responsible for putting Betsy in hospital due to the gap in time from them having sex, and her first stroke.
Sean and Dylan weren’t aware of the information that states a stroke may not occur immediately after the event. In fact, medical evidence shows it can happen days, weeks, or even months after the initial compression of the neck. This, along with the fact they were both in denial about the reality, meant they tried to accuse Brody Michaelis (Ryan Mulvey) of sleeping with Betsy.
The strokes were caused as a result of the pressure Dylan put on Betsy’s neck while they had sex (Picture: ITV)
Everything changed for Dylan in this evening’s episode, as he visited Betsy in hospital. After hearing from her that he caused the strokes, Dylan panicked as he slowly started to accept the truth.
In the corridor, Dylan and Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) discussed how erotic asphyxiation, or breath play, is sometimes considered a kink, and reiterated that he didn’t squeeze Betsy’s neck very hard.
In the pub later, Dylan told his dad that he did put Betsy in hospital. The youngster knows that there’s a very real chance he could go to prison for this, and told Sean how terrified he is about returning there.
This plotline was conceived as a way to raise awareness surrounding the incredibly little know risks of consensual strangulation during sex, which can occur regardless of how much or little pressure is used.
Coronation Street has been worked closely alongside the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS), The Stroke Association and Safeline while plotting the story to ensure complete accuracy.
‘By consulting extensively with IFAS, the Stroke Association and Safeline, we aimed to handle Betsy’s journey with the care and sensitivity it deserves while sparking a difficult and somewhat contentious conversation that helps raise awareness of the risks involved in partaking in such acts’ said Corrie producer, Kate Brooks.
‘When I first got told about it, I learnt that it takes more pressure to open a can of Coke than it does to cause brain damage,’ Sydney Martin exclusively told Metro.
‘There was a study where they did a blood test on 30 women, 15 who had partaken and 15 who hadn’t, and the 15 who had all showed signs of brain damage.’
