World News – UK – Coronation Street star Ian Bartholomew releases song for Women’s Aid

Coronation Street star Ian Bartholomew was forced to help victims of domestic violence after playing the evil Geoff Metcalfe

Coronation Street star Ian Bartholomew, better known as vile Geoff Metcalfe of Cobblestones, released charity single on domestic violence

The song, written and performed by the actor, is called This Time It’s Forever and was released to raise funds for the Women’s Aid charity

Speaking about the song, Ian explained why it was so important for him to help raise awareness for such an important cause.

« When the coronavirus hit and we went into lockdown, domestic violence cases exploded

« I happened to write a song one day in May, and the lyrics followed very quickly, » said Ian, Women’s Aid Ambassador

« I tried to put myself in the shoes of someone who is in an abusive relationship, » Ian continues

« Confusion, uncertainty, low self-esteem, but also knowing that in their hearts they are right [to leave] and they are doing the right thing »

Ian plays the abusive Geoff on Coronation Street who has tormented his wife for months (Photo: ITV)

Ian’s wife Loveday Ingram directed the accompanying music video which tells the story of a woman escaping from an abusive household with her child

The video also features the faces of real survivors of abuse, including TV presenter Katie Piper

As the video shows, in the UK 16 million women and children are victims of domestic violence each year

Police receive more than 100 calls per hour regarding incidents of child abuse and, on average, a woman is killed every four days by a current or former partner

The clip tells the story of an abused woman who runs away with her son from their abusive household (credit: Three Wise Monkeys)

Ian adds: « We tell a story in the video, we tell a story on TV, but in reality it is not a story, it happens to real people in real life It is very important to remember that « 

« I want all people who have stable relationships to understand that there can be a dark side to married life and relationships.

« I want them to do their best one way or another to end what is a terrible crime Coercive control and domestic violence must stop »

The scared young boy in the music video is seen in hiding from his violent family life (credit: Three Wise Monkeys)

His battered wife Yasmeen (Shelley King) is currently in jail for stabbing her attacker who she said was trying to kill her

« Geoff started off as a bumptuous jerk but the producers told me he would get darker I had no idea it would be a 360 degree turn, » Ian says

« It was hard to get my head around for a while, I must say

« Geoff is completely unfriendly I don’t like anything about him He’s a very rude human being

« From an acting perspective, it’s fascinating, but it’s hard to work every day to play someone horrible

« When the scenario got really ‘temperamental’ on lockdown, it was hard to watch it and know it was really happening on the outside

« Shelley and I have had a lot of contact with Women’s Aid and we have met many survivors of domestic violence

« The charity was heavily involved in writing the script and did a fantastic job

« They kept us true to reality, that’s why it was so hard It’s true », continues the actor

Ian says he feels lucky to be able to return home after playing Geoff, but he’s painfully aware that a lot of people don’t have the same security

« My son, who is 12, doesn’t want to see daddy be horrible with Shelley Coming Home brings you back to reality

« I can go home with my wife and children. I’m very lucky but I am always aware that people who live it for real do not have the luxury of moving away »

If you are concerned that your partner, or that of a friend or family member, is dominant and abusive, go to housekeeperorguk for help and information, including live chat , Survivors’ Forum, Survivor’s Handbook and Domestic Abuse Directory

Live chat is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays and 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on weekends for confidential expert assistance from support technicians specialized

The song This Time It’s Forever was produced by James F Reynolds The video was produced by Three Wise Monkeys with the sponsorship of the Steve Morgan Foundation

Coronation Street, Ian Bartholomew, Yasmeen Nazir, Shelley King, Women’s Aid, Soap Opera