Coronation Street actor Jack P Shepherd hopes playing a victim of male rape will help survivors to come forward. Jack, who plays David Platt, is the centre of a plot in which his character will be drugged and raped by his new friend, mechanic Josh Tucker. He said he hopes it could help victims "realise the need to open up and speak to somebody".

The soap's producer Kate Oates said the soap wanted to highlight the "culture of silence" around male sexual assault.

In episodes which will be aired on 16 March, David and Josh enjoy a night out drinking having become friends in recent weeks. David wakes up the next day in Josh's bed and realised he's been drugged and starts to remember what happened. He makes his way home and has to make the decision whether or not he can face reporting the crime. Viewers will see the character struggle with what has happened - including keeping it a secret from his friends and family.