Totally unsurprisingly, some viewers of Coronation Street have complained about scenes in which the character of Owen Armstrong slapped 10 year old Faye Windass (Ellie Leach) when he discovered she’d poisoned his fish.

Owen, who’s played by Ian Puleston-Davies, was seen slapping Faye’s legs twice as his fury over the incident – in which Faye poured creosote into Owen’s fish pond, killing the fish – took over and he lashed out.

The Daily Mirror reports that, “Hundreds of horrified parents” have complained to ITV and TV watchdog Ofcom about the scene.

Irate viewers also took to internet forums and social networking sites to voice their opinions, with one fan saying Owen’s actions were “psychotic”, while another asked, “He was really laying into her, or that was the writers’ intent?”

On Twitter, one viewer wrote, “Very uncomfortable. Wrong on so many levels…”

Another added, “Don’t think it should have been shown. Not necessary in this life today. No need for it.”

However, some viewers supported Owen’s actions, saying of Faye, “She’s a brat!”

In response to the scenes, and the subject of smacking children in general, Phillip Noyes of child protection charity, the NSPCC said, “Parents can obviously be pushed to the limit on occasion…

“But there are more positive ways of correcting a child’s behaviour than smacking them.

“It simply sets a bad example and teaches children that violence is a solution.

“Children tell us it leaves them scared and confused and the NSPCC believes it simply gives out the wrong message and breaks down the trust between child and parent.”

A Corrie spokeswoman added, “We most certainly don’t condone Owen’s actions – as will be seen by the ramifications of the slap, and the effect it has on his relationship.”

As we’ll see in forthcoming episodes, Anna Windass (Debbie Rush) ends her relationship with Owen over the incident.

Let us know your thoughts on this story. Was it wrong to air the scene or was it a genuine reflection on how some parents – or guardians – act when “pushed”?