In last night’s episode of Coronation Street (Monday, July 1), viewers were taken aback

by Sally’s insensitivity at Tommy Orpington’s bust unveiling. The event took

an unexpected turn when Steve and Cassie swapped the statue for a scribble on a football

as part of their revenge plot.

Steve was under the impression that his friends were throwing him a 50th birthday party. Instead, he found himself at a lackluster gathering with Cassie, Rita, Ken, and Brian. Cassie then drove him to the statue unveiling, where they discovered that Sally and Tim had chosen to attend the event rather than his party. Steve and Cassie humiliated Tommy by replacing the statue with a defaced football.

After the unveiling, Sally shocked viewers by suggesting to Tim that she deserved an MBE or a statue of herself on the street. When Tim asked where it would go, Sally proposed removing Maxine Peacock’s memorial bench to make space.

This comment outraged fans, who saw it as a blatant disrespect to Maxine’s memory. One fan exclaimed, “Get rid of Maxine’s bench?! Shame on you, Sally!” Another added, “Not Sally mentioning to possibly get rid of Maxine’s bench.” A third viewer declared, “Don’t you dare get rid of Maxine’s bench, Sally!”

Maxine Peacock, the wife of Ashley Peacock, was a beloved character who died in 2003. She was murdered by Richard Hillman, who attacked her with a crowbar when she walked in on him attempting to kill Emily Bishop.

Fans of Coronation Street have not forgotten Maxine’s tragic death and were appalled by Sally’s thoughtless remark. The backlash against Sally highlights how deeply Maxine’s memory is cherished by the show’s audience.