Coronation Street bosses have defended Owen Armstrong and Faye Butler's slapping storyline following complaints over Monday night's episodes.
Earlier this week, viewers saw Owen slap Faye twice on the back of the legs as a punishment after discovering that she had poured creosote into his fish pond, killing his new pets.
The incident occurred after Anna Windass asked Owen to look after her adopted daughter Faye for the night while she was dealing with a family emergency. Anna and Owen have been in a relationship for a few months.
However, The Mirror reports that ITV and UK media regulator Ofcom have both received complaints over the decision to broadcast the scenes.
Meanwhile, Phillip Noyes of the NSPCC in the UK told the newspaper: "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."
