Coronation Street viewers were left outraged after the latest ITV episode was pushed back by four minutes to make room for a festive Waitrose Christmas advert.
Coronation Street fans were left fuming on Wednesday night (November 12) after the latest episode was delayed to make way for a festive Waitrose advert.
Viewers eager to catch up on the latest Weatherfield drama were forced to wait an extra four minutes as the supermarket aired its emotional Christmas commercial on ITV.
The star-studded ad, featuring Keira Knightley and Joe Wilkinson, officially kicked off the festive season — but not everyone was impressed by its short romantic storyline.
Taking to X, one irritated viewer wrote: “Why has Waitrose taken up a whole five-minute slot for a Christmas ad? #Corrie.”
Another frustrated viewer fumed: “What on earth is this and where’s #Corrie? It’s only November 12th!” according to the Liverpool Echo.
A third added with equal annoyance: “Turned Corrie on and got Joe Wilkinson instead — proper bo! #Corrie.”
Others were even more blunt, with one fan shouting: “Sod off, Waitrose! You’re not Phil or Joe! #Corrie,” while another demanded: “What’s with this ridiculously long advert? #Corrie.”
The Waitrose Christmas campaign in question is a lavish four-minute festive short — a romantic comedy starring Keira Knightley and Joe Wilkinson — telling a heartwarming story of love and food during the holidays.
Directed by BAFTA-winner Molly Manners, the Waitrose festive advert tells a charming story of two strangers — played by Keira Knightley and Joe Wilkinson — whose romance blossoms over a shared love of food.
The film opens with their first meeting at a Waitrose cheese counter and ends with Joe, reprising his beloved role as Phil from last year’s “whodunnit” campaign, lovingly recreating Keira’s Nan’s famous turkey pie recipe.
Meanwhile, over on Coronation Street (November 12), the mood was far more emotional. The latest episode saw Shona (Julia Goulding) and David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) facing an agonising ordeal after a scan revealed their unborn baby may have a mass on her neck — leaving the couple heartbroken as they tried to come to terms with the devastating news.
The episode opens through Shona’s eyes, capturing her frustration with David’s seemingly detached demeanor as they approach a critical medical consultation.
Switching to David’s perspective, viewers see his inner struggle — trying desperately to support Shona while fearing he might say the wrong thing.
The couple is then faced with heartbreaking news: their unborn daughter has a tumour on her neck, meaning that if they continue with the pregnancy, Shona would face complex and high-risk surgery.