Wonka viewers left BOOING the screen after actor who played hated Coronation Street character appears
MANY villains have committed despicable acts during their stints in soap land and viewers are sometimes unable to forgive and forget.
Such was the case for Wonka viewers who were shocked to see former Coronation Street star Ian Bartholomew appear on screen.
Bartholomew played abusive husband Geoff Metcalfe in Corrie and quickly became a hate figure for fans because of his psychological torture of Yasmeen Nazir (played by Shelley King).
And while actor Bartholomew moved on from his role following his on-screen death, his on-screen reputation has followed him into one of the biggest movies of the year.
The Portsmouth-born star was recently cast as a sceptical old man in the 2023 hit Wonka, featuring A-lister Timothée Chalamet and other silver screen legends in the likes of Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson and Olivia Colman.
Unfortunately for Ian, Corrie fans who ventured into a cinema to watch the film couldn't get over his appearance and immediately took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.
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A plethora of posts and comments have pointed out a collective shock to see the former Geoff Metcalfe actor taking on a new role while another handful of social media users were fuming to see him on the big screen.
"Wasteman geoff from corrie was in the wonka movie and it made me angry", one viewer penned.
Another added: "Can't get over Geoff from Corrie being in Wonka", while a third commented: "My favourite part of Wonka was when Ian Bartholomew (Geoff from Coronation Street) appeared on screen and almost every adult booed."
"Why was geoff from corrie in wonka…", another questioned.
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"I did not expect to see Geoff the abuser from Corrie in Wonka", one watcher commented.
Another shocked viewer chimed in: "Imagine my shock when Geoff from corrie popped up in Wonka and did a dance number with Timothée Chalamet."
One final viewer took to X with a direct reference to one of Geoff's most despicable offences - killing Yasmeen's beloved pet chicken, Charlotte Brontë, which led to many viewers turning to Ofcom at the time the scenes were aired.
"Also can't believe Geoff from Corrie was in the new Wonka film. I thought he was gonna suggest making chocolate out of Charlotte Brontë!!", the fan jumped in.
After being a series regular in Coronation Street from 2018 to 2020, Ian Bartholomew focused on other projects, including musical endeavours.
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In 2020, he released a track titled This Time It's Forever, in support of Women's Aid.
Earlier this year, Ian shocked his fans when it was revealed he had also auditioned for Britain's Got Talent in early 2022 but he vanished from the competition.
Corrie and cinema fans will have to get used to seeing Ian in other roles as, aside from his appearance in Wonka, the actor was cast in the Guy Ritchie film Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre.
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What other projects could he delve into in the future?
Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.
