• Contact us
  • About us
  • Digital edition
  • Online archive
Monday, June 9, 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    How can businesses combat increased pressure on cashflow and profitability?

    How can businesses combat increased pressure on cashflow and profitability?

    Penrith Players present Noel Coward’s Hay Fever

    Penrith Players present Noel Coward’s Hay Fever

    Paula Roberts’ pilgrim route to raise cash for Red Cross

    Paula Roberts’ pilgrim route to raise cash for Red Cross

    Farmers flock to North Sheep

    Farmers flock to North Sheep

    Cumbrian animal charity celebrates with dog show for opening of new kennel complex

    Cumbrian animal charity celebrates with dog show for opening of new kennel complex

    Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

    Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

  • Sport
    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    How can businesses combat increased pressure on cashflow and profitability?

    How can businesses combat increased pressure on cashflow and profitability?

    Penrith Players present Noel Coward’s Hay Fever

    Penrith Players present Noel Coward’s Hay Fever

    Paula Roberts’ pilgrim route to raise cash for Red Cross

    Paula Roberts’ pilgrim route to raise cash for Red Cross

    Farmers flock to North Sheep

    Farmers flock to North Sheep

    Cumbrian animal charity celebrates with dog show for opening of new kennel complex

    Cumbrian animal charity celebrates with dog show for opening of new kennel complex

    Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

    Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

  • Sport
    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
No Result
View All Result
Home Latest

Emmerdale storyline ‘devalues people with Down’s Syndrome’, Eden mothers tell producers

by CWH
2 December 2020
in Latest, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Claire Green, of Penrith, with daughter Tia, who has Down’s Syndrome.

Two Eden mothers are taking on producers of TV soap Emmerdale over a storyline they say devalues the lives of people with Down’s Syndrome.

A character in the show, Laurel, is set to find out she is pregnant with a child who has an extra chromosome, resulting in her choosing to have an abortion.

The controversial storyline was criticised by British actress Sally Phillips — best known for her role in the Bridget Jones films — who is an advocate for those with Down’s Syndrome and called the plot “irresponsible” in the national press this week.

Her stance is echoed by Cristina Bowman, Milburn, founding member of a group called DiffAbility which often works with the actress.

Cristina said her son, Max, who has Down’s Syndrome, and others with the condition, were devastated to learn that a baby could be “got rid of” for being “like them”.

She said: “Many adults are being shielded from the programme, so as to spare them hurt, but what of the wider implications?

“What if the community sees this storyline and thinks people with Down’s Syndrome are not worthy members of society? There is enough prejudice against this minority group without adding to it.”

Claire Green, of Penrith, whose three-year-old daughter Tia has Down’s Syndrome, added: “By showing the child as having Down’s Syndrome, I feel it will almost make it more acceptable to abort life that is compatible with life, purely because of a disability, whilst focusing on a community that is fighting so hard for equality at the moment and hurt many people along the way.”

The pair and 33 adults with Down’s Syndrome have sent a video and letter to Emmerdale producers, suggesting an alternative plot line.

“We want to be valued and respected. All people with Down’s Syndrome matter and have a right to life. Please don’t show the world any different,” they wrote.

The letter was supported by adults with Down’s Syndrome including Clair May Minett — an advocate for those with the condition; actress Bethany Asher and model Kate Grant.

A spokesman for ITV Studios said: “Viewers who watch Emmerdale will know Rhona and Marlon have a much loved son, Leo. Leo has Down’s Syndrome and for the last nine years he’s been on screen portraying a happy, fun-loving boy who is very much wanted and cared for by his parents and family.

“After much consideration and extensive research, Emmerdale decided to tell the story of Laurel and Jai and their choice to terminate their pregnancy.

“The full context of Laurel and Jai’s story will be portrayed in detail in forthcoming episodes, because understandably the couple only reach this heart-breaking decision after much soul-searching.

“Emmerdale felt the story of thousands of couples who make this choice every year, feeling unable to talk about it, needed to be told.

“Emmerdale made the conscious editorial decision to portray this storyline to reflect what happens to thousands of couples throughout the UK who make the painful decision each year to terminate their pregnancy after a prenatal diagnosis.

“And we take our responsibilities extremely seriously when portraying such sensitive issues.

“Before the filming of Laurel and Jai’s story, the programme consulted widely with many individuals and organisations.

“These included parents with children who have Down’s syndrome, medical professionals involved in this field and groups such as Antenatal Results and Choices. We were careful to ensure our scripts were accurate to the process involved for parents facing such an agonising decision and representative of the variety of views and opinions about this difficult subject.”

Related Posts

How can businesses combat increased pressure on cashflow and profitability?
Expert advice

How can businesses combat increased pressure on cashflow and profitability?

8 June 2025
Penrith Players present Noel Coward’s Hay Fever
Latest

Penrith Players present Noel Coward’s Hay Fever

7 June 2025
Paula Roberts’ pilgrim route to raise cash for Red Cross
News

Paula Roberts’ pilgrim route to raise cash for Red Cross

6 June 2025
Farmers flock to North Sheep
Farm and Countryside

Farmers flock to North Sheep

6 June 2025
Cumbrian animal charity celebrates with dog show for opening of new kennel complex
News

Cumbrian animal charity celebrates with dog show for opening of new kennel complex

6 June 2025
Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history
Latest

Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

6 June 2025
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Most popular

Looking back through the archives

Looking back through the archives

6 June 2025
Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

6 June 2025
Honorary assistant bishop Geoffrey Hewlett Thompson

Honorary assistant bishop Geoffrey Hewlett Thompson

6 June 2025
Cumbrian animal charity celebrates with dog show for opening of new kennel complex

Cumbrian animal charity celebrates with dog show for opening of new kennel complex

6 June 2025
Penrith Players present Noel Coward’s Hay Fever

Penrith Players present Noel Coward’s Hay Fever

7 June 2025
Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

5 June 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Logo

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: news@cwherald.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • News
  • Sport
  • Farming
  • Property
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Your view

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Photosales
  • Online archive
  • Buy your paper
  • Digital edition
  • North Lakes Living
  • Advertise
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
IPSO Logo
Review Your Cart
0
Discount
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount
Checkout

 
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • more
    • North Lakes Living
    • Buy Photos
    • Buy your paper
    • About us
    • Contact us

© 2020 Cumberland & Westmorland Herald