Classic Coronation Street episodes about Hayley Cropper given pre-show warning about ‘opinions of the time’ by ITV

ITV has been praised for adding pre-show warnings on vintage Coronation Street episodes.

One such warning alerted viewers to “opinions of the time” which said some “viewers may now find offensive”.

The pre-show warning was attached to a series of episodes featuring the transgender character Hayley Cropper.

“Today’s classic Corrie includes transgender comments and opinions of the time that viewers may now find offensive,” the pre-show warning says.

Hollyoaks actress Annie Wallace who was the first person transgender person to play a transgender character on a British soap, heaped praise on ITV3 for adding the warning.

“Thank you, @ITV , for preceding some of the current #ClassicCorrie episodes featuring Roy and Hayley with this alert. #timeschange #itv3 @itvcorrie.”

Hayley Cropper was the first transgender character on a British soap and the first permanent transgender character on a drama series.

She was portrayed by actress Julie Hesmondhalgh for 16 years and her storyline included a romantic relationship with Roy Cropper, and portrayal of the struggle of transgender people to adopt children or get married.

ITV’s pre-show warnings follow in the footsteps of streaming service BritBox who put similiar warning on old episodes of Corrie and other shows such as, Ali G, Keeping Up Appearances and The Good Life.

One Corrie episode on Britbox with a pre-show warning from 1968 centres on Corrie legends Stan and Hilda Ogden having a meal at a Chinese restaurant where the food is described as “foreign”.

Viewers are told: “Stan and Hilda’s Big Night Out. Stan takes Hilda to a Chinese restaurant, but she doesn’t quite get the meal she expected. With language from a bygone era which some viewers may find offensive.”

In another scene, Len Fairclough is asked by a pal to “play the white man”.

Viewers are also warned of violence and upsetting scenes from a 1966 episode in which Vera Lomax dies, and one from 1978 where Ernie Bishop is shot dead.

A spokesman for BritBox, co-owned by ITV and the BBC, said: “Programming on the service that contains potentially sensitive language or attitudes of their era has carried appropriate warnings since our launch in 2019.”

ITV has been contacted for comment.