Coronation Street star left embarrassed after filming stoma bag leak scene

The raw pain of Bethany Platt, when her boyfriend Daniel Barlow unexpectedly saw her stoma bag for the first time, was deeply moving. Actress Lucy Fallon brilliantly portrayed Bethany's self-disgust and embarrassment as she exploded into a fit of hysteria, demanding Daniel to leave.

After undergoing a botched liposuction in Turkey in September, which resulted in a perforated bowel and life-threatening sepsis, she had been offered a cheap deal by the cosmetic clinic she was writing about. However, doctors were forced to intervene to save her life.

Meanwhile, her family was hit with a double blow, torn between concern for Bethany and anxiety over how they would cover the hospital bills when it became apparent that her medical insurance wouldn't foot the bill. As the usual Platt drama unfolds around her, Bethany grapples with the emotional, physical, and financial toll of her vanity.

Hiding under loose clothing, staying indoors, and pushing Daniel - portrayed by Rob Mallard - away, she fears intimacy, convinced he will be disgusted by her stoma. In the upcoming week, after he finally convinces her of his love for her, stoma and all, viewers will see him coax her out on a date.

A routine night at The Rovers turns disastrous for Bethany when her stoma bag leaks in public, leaving her to flee the scene, overwhelmed by embarrassment. No one empathises more with this event than PE teacher Natalie Tibble, 39, who underwent a stoma operation 18 months ago due to ulcerative colitis, and has been instrumental in advising Lucy on the Corrie plot.

She shared: "Bethany feeling very embarrassed when her bag leaks is something that is very relatable to anyone who has had a stoma. I can remember my first time when I was in a café and it was absolutely mortifying when my bag leaked in public."

"You feel so self-conscious and I can remember running to the toilet and bursting into tears because I felt so embarrassed."

However, Natalie reveals how she turned such challenging experiences around. She's now prepared for contingencies, carrying extra supplies and tackling accidents with a new perspective.

She adds: "My stoma bag has leaked many times since that first day in public, including on the school playing field where I teach. But I have learned to realise that yes you can have some bad days, but it is actually all ok."

"I've always got my trusted bag full of spare clothes and stoma bags with me wherever I go."

This Coronation Street storyline serves to enlighten viewers on the realities for the one in 225 people living with a stoma in the UK.

"Bethany feeling very embarrassed when her bag leaks is something that is very relatable to anyone who has had a stoma. I can remember my first time when I was in a café and it was absolutely mortifying when my bag leaked in public."

"You feel so self-conscious and I can remember running to the toilet and bursting into tears because I felt so embarrassed."

"My stoma bag has leaked many times since that first day in public, including on the school playing field where I teach. But I have learned to realise that yes you can have some bad days, but it is actually all ok."

"I've always got my trusted bag full of spare clothes and stoma bags with me wherever I go."

In addition to consulting with Natalie, the show has also received guidance from Colostomy UK charity. Despite the current storyline being emotional and occasionally shocking, it aims to demonstrate that individuals with stomas can lead complete lives.

Lucy shared her thoughts: "It is really important to show that Bethany will be able to lead a normal life in the future and do all the things she did before," adding that Bethany feels deeply embarrassed and ashamed at present, grappling with guilt over her condition being self-inflicted. "But I wouldn't like it if Bethany was really sad all the time, because it's so important to show how she's going to be absolutely fine."

Committed to an authentic portrayal, Lucy valued Natalie's contribution greatly.

She acknowledged, "I got a lot of insightful information from Natalie. Everything she told me was super helpful. She told me about her journey to getting a stoma bag, everything she faced, the challenges, but also how it's not necessarily negatively impacted her life."

Natalie, based in North London, had a stoma fitted in February 2023 following unsuccessful alternative treatments. She now leads a full and joyful life, including teaching PE, socialising in pubs, and even playing rugby.

Natalie expressed feeling privileged to share her experience and serve as a consultant for the soap.

Natalie, a mum-of-three and brain tumour survivor, has spoken of the emotional journey she endured, mirrored on screen by Coronation Street's Bethany. Natalie praised actress Lucy Fallon for her "Natalie, who lives in North London, had a stoma fitted in February 2023, after other treatment failed. Now enjoying a fulfilling and happy life, teaching PE in a Secondary school, going to pubs, and even playing rugby, Natalie says she feels honoured to be able to share her story and act as an advisor to the soap.But she admits that watching Bethany suffer on screen has also brought back lots of memories of how much she also struggled at the start. Praising Lucy for her brilliantly realistic portrayal of how it feels, Natalie says: " portrayal, saying: "Life does change when you have a stoma and it has been an honour to advise Lucy."

Recounting her own struggles, Natalie shared: "You can be left thinking 'my life is over' and watching Bethany's struggles on-screen has brought it all back to me about how I initially felt. At the start, I really struggled too."

She admired Lucy's dedication to understanding the reality of living with a stoma, stating: "Lucy was great in wanting to know so much and, as I stressed to her, it is just as important to show the positives and the positive impact a stoma can have on your life. I am proof you can lead a normal life."

Natalie revealed how having a stoma significantly improved her health, adding: "I hadn't been feeling very well for years and having a stoma has given me back my life."

Much like her fictional counterpart, Natalie experienced initial embarrassment due to a leaking stoma but now handles such incidents with ease.

Facing uncertainties in personal relationships echoed Bethany's storyline, with Natalie admitting: "When I first had my stoma, it most definitely affected my confidence, just as Corrie is showing," and expressed concerns common to many in her situation: "I kept thinking nobody would like me with a bag. I was also worried about what would happen if there was suddenly a leak from my bag during any intimate situations."

"My friends kept telling me that if someone didn't like me just because I had my bag, then they were a waste of space – and of course they were right."

Remaining coy on her personal escapades, Natalie does admit that early fears about acceptance were unfounded. She's hopeful that Bethany will soon understand Daniel’s love as genuine, though she stops short of divulging Corrie spoilers.

Shedding light on her own romance experiences post-stoma operation, Natalie reveals, "I am currently single, but I have dated since my stoma and when it did come to intimacy, they completely understood. I initially felt a bit awkward, but they certainly didn't make me feel awkward at any time."

Despite the past relationship not lasting, it gave her perspective: "Whilst the relationship didn't work out, it made me realise not to worry in the future. Life is too short to worry."

The actress commends the show for tackling the psychological impacts of living with a stoma. Teasers point to Bethany spiralling into a deeper depression before finding community support.

Natalie echoes her character’s journey, "Like Bethany, I did need to have some counselling, as I lost a lot of confidence after the stoma," acknowledging that many struggle due to scarce resources. "I was very lucky. I had my mum, Kirsty, who was an absolute rock. But the counselling also helped me a lot. Colostomy UK was brilliantly supportive too."

Feeling stronger and happier, Natalie is now sharing her journey of working with Corrie to inspire others living with stomas. "I have always been very sporty and I love playing contact rugby now for Colostomy UK's team," she shares.

"Before I fell ill, I used to play rugby and now I've had my stoma, I am able to play it again. I have been playing for a year or so now and I also go out whenever I want."

"Everyone at my school has been brilliantly supportive and all my pupils know about my stoma. I feel so much healthier now with a stoma. I am getting on with my life and I don't care if people see my bag or not under my clothes when I am out. I won't let it define me and I am very open about it all."

Natalie hopes that viewers will soon see Bethany embracing life once more. She says: "My life isn't perfect – I had a leak yesterday – but I am in a great place."

"I hope this storyline will help others and make people realise it's ok to ask for help, too."

Lucy, pleased to be highlighting this important issue, says Natalie's positivity has made her determined that Bethany's journey should end on a happy note.

She adds: "It's important to highlight that Bethany isn't going to be restricted in anything that she does just because she's got a stoma bag, and that life will be normal."

If you have been affected by Bethany's storyline, help can be found at Colostomy UK – www.colostomyuk.org. The charity also runs a 24-hour free helpline – 0800 328 4257.