[Scarlett.]

CORONATION Street is going to be rocked by a racism scandal.

Weatherfield fireman Paul Kershaw will find himself at the centre of a fierce storm when he’s accused of being a racist by cab driver Lloyd Mullaney.

In scenes to be screened this summer, Paul is talking to Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson, 38) and uses the phrase “playing the white man”.

Lloyd’s daughter Jenna Kamara (Krissi Bohn, 29) hears Paul’s comment and tells her dad, sparking a row between the two men.

It will cause a bitter divide as some residents side with Paul and believe it wasn’t meant as a racist slur and others side with Lloyd (Craig Charles, 48).

Paul (Tony Hirst, 46) tries to play matters down but is forced to defend himself.

Instead of apologising he digs his heels in and makes matters even worse.

His row will have a big impact on his girlfriend Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver, 39) as she works with both Steve and Lloyd at the cab office.

Corrie boss Stuart Blackburn told the Daily Star: “There’s a point when Paul, in a moment of stupidity and stress, makes one wrong remark.

“It’s a remark he dismisses as nothing but what it takes us into is something of pride, loyalty and principle. It’s a story that’s going to ripple through Weatherfield and jeopardise Eileen’s relationship not just with Paul but with Steve and Lloyd as well.

“I think it’s one of those modern stories that will get everyone talking.”

Daily Star