Former Coronation Street star Farrel Hegarty has revealed that online hate directed at her character Lou Michaelis upset her grandmother, Maisie Spackman, a devoted fan of the ITV soap. Hegarty discussed the backlash on the It Started with a Kiss podcast, explaining that while she expected criticism for playing a 'baddie,' the impact on her family caught her off guard.
Grandmother's reaction to online abuse
Lou Michaelis made a dramatic entrance on the cobbles alongside husband Mick in early 2025, known for her brash attitude and confrontational nature. As her storyline progressed, viewers saw a more vulnerable side during a domestic abuse plot and a flashback episode exploring her past with Kit Green (Jacob Roberts). Hegarty recalled being warned by co-star Joe Layton not to read social media comments. 'Obviously, that's like when someone says, “Don't push that button!”' she laughed, adding that she went down a 'rabbit hole' of comments.
However, the criticism affected not just Hegarty but also her grandmother. 'I remember my grandma saying, because she's a huge Corrie fan, I was like, “Have you read the comments, Grandma?” And she went, “Yes…” 'And I'm like, you've upset Grandma now! Upsetting me is one thing, but don't upset Granny!'
Fan reaction and character's return
After leaving the soap, Hegarty read out fake online posts claiming she was pregnant and engaged, crying with laughter as she debunked the misinformation. Despite the initial hate, Hegarty ultimately won fans over with her portrayal. Comments on the podcast's Instagram post are now begging for Lou's return. 'Farrel come back to Corrie,' one wrote, while another said: 'Come back to the cobbles when you get released from prison please!'
'But also, you know you've done the job well if you've aggravated people that much. Being the character they love to hate is almost better than being the character they love,' another fan noted. Lou is currently serving time for attacking Gary Windass (Mikey North). Fans thought they'd seen the last of her until Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) was sent to prison and befriended her former neighbour. The character's popularity suggests a potential return once her sentence is served.
