Sydney Martin playing Betsy Swain in Coronation Street(Image: ITV)
Coronation Street fans have been quick to cast the same verdict over Sydney Martin’s performance in the long-running show as she kicked off a heartbreaking health storyline for her character, Betsy Swain.
It was previously confirmed that the teenager will be found collapsed on the kitchen floor of No.6 Coronation Street, before being rushed to the hospital as she fights for her life – and the finger of blame will be quickly pointed at her love interest, Dylan.
Betsy has recently been wanting to spend more time with her boyfriend Dylan before her move to London, having bagged a place at a fashion college.
In Monday’s (July 13) episode of Corrie, after a disastrous attempt at cooking breakfast for Dylan, things seem tense between the pair. After Dylan left, Betsy found him in the cafe and ended up asking him for some cooking lessons.
Dylan ended up showing Betsy how to make a Bolognese when talk turned to their upcoming separation, with Dylan keen to assure his girlfriend that the long-distance wouldn’t come between them.
As Wednesday’s (July 15) episode of Corrie got underway, there were shock scenes as an ambulance pulled away from No.6, before it was revealed that Ryan Connor had discovered an unconscious Betsy on the kitchen floor.
She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed she had suffered a stroke. Her devastated mums, Lisa and Carla Connor-Swain, kept vigil by Betsy’s bedside. Things took a horror turn as, once her condition appeared to have stabilised, he suffered a second stroke.
Betsy’s family rushed to be by her side(Image: ITV)
It was after this that doctors confirmed it had been caused by a blood clot, which was the result of neck artery damage from a temporary loss of circulation. It left Betsy having to tell her mum that Dylan had strangled her during consensual sex, despite both believing the pressure applied was minimal.
Lisa appeared horrified as her daughter tried to tell her what happened, with Betsy apologising. Pulling herself together, Lisa told Betsy that she had nothing to be sorry for, but later, when Dylan showed up looking to find out more about Betsy’s condition, Lisa launched at him, calling him an “animal” before asking if she should choke him as he had choked her only child.
As the scenes unfolded, Corrie fans watched in shock as they discovered the truth of Betsy’s serious health emergency, while praising the soap for being “bold” in their storytelling as they work on the devastating but important scenes with Addressing Strangulation (IFAS), The Stroke Association and Safeline.
But there was also plenty of praise for Sydney for her portrayal of the major storyline so far, just two years after she made her debut on the cobbles.
Lisa went for Dylan after discovering the truth(Image: ITV)
@itsjustkate___ said: “As expected, completely blown away by @sydneymartin_x in today’s episodes, just incredible!” @missmollybruton commented: “Just focusing on Sydney alone here…the growth in her acting since she started on Corrie, she is one of the best young actors on the show and I’m so glad she’s got a storyline like this to showcase that. Genuinely an absolutely mind-blowing performance.”
@thatsmypeachx wrote: “What a masterclass from @sydneymartin_x and @VixMyers!!! Such an unexpected but important storyline #Corrie #Swarla.” @oatcaramelatte shared: “Sydney Martin is going from strength to strength – she’s got a very bright future ahead of her #corrie.”
@carlac0nn0rrr typed: “I’m in awe of Sydney Martin’s acting in this episode and I’m sure she will continue to deliver throughout this whole storyline You can see how much work Sydney has put into this, her acting skills have developed immensely during her time on Corrie All the praise #corrie.” @swainontheisles posted: “Sydney martin is gonna go SO far, she’s got more talent in her little toe than i have in my entire body.”
@marinaswarla penned: “I just can’t get over how well betsy plays a stroke victim that woman is fresh into her acting career she is an absolute powerhouse my god.” @mariekebraks replied: “That was the most impressive performance I’ve ever seen of someone playing a stroke victim! Sydney is so incredibly good!” @ellesfletch added: “SYDNEY MARTIN IS A DAMN FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH !!!!! big things are coming for her.”
