"The reaction was expected because Kelly was tricky to like anyway. Even Toyah is struggling to like her at the minute, so I think you need to have good morals to stick with her! Through this storyline and how it's going to pan out, hopefully people feel a bit more remorseful for her."
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
Anyone who has witnessed or experienced a hate crime is urged to call the police on 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit the True Vision website. In an emergency, always dial 999.
Coronation Street has worked on the current storyline alongside The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, which was set up to challenge prejudices and intolerance towards people from alternative subcultures, and extend UK hate crime legislation, following the murder of Sophie Lancaster in 2007.