The emotional scenes sparked a backlash from LGBT fans who saw Rana die in the debris of the collapsed Underworld factory roof on Wednesday, hours before her wedding to Kate Connor. But Bhavna, 34, said she chose Rana’s demise on the ITV soap’s Weatherfield cobbles.
She said: “When I told [producer] Iain MacLeod that I wanted to leave the show, it was my decision and my choice for Rana to die because it was the only fitting end to the character.
“Kate and Rana had fought so hard to be together. I believe their love was so pure as two souls that there was no way that Rana was just going to have a change of heart, hop in a cab and leave. I felt that if they were to be separated, they had to be torn apart and it couldn’t have been their decision.
“The only way to go was if Rana were to die. Rana would never leave Kate, ever.”
Many viewers questioned why Rana chose to call Kate, played by Faye Brookes, rather than the emergency services. But Bhavna said Rana knew instinctively that she was not going to survive.
She said: “Rana knew it was her last moments. Rana’s final wish was to be married to Kate so that’s what they did, they exchanged vows.” But many LGBT viewers were dismayed.
Campaigner Vals Juliana said: “Well Corrie, you hurt and mislead LGBT fans. People from places it’s illegal to be gay tuned in to see the world’s oldest soap’s FIRST same-sex wedding.
“But you killed off the lesbian Muslim instead.”
WOULD YOU CALL A LOVED ONE BEFORE 999 IF DISASTER STRUCK?
NO, says Elly Blake Daily Express feature writer
When emergency strikes, every second is precious. Wasting them to ring a loved one first is a fatal error – as we found out when Rana sadly met her end.
I would feel comforted knowing I’d raised the alarm – potentially helping others too – and medical help was on its way, above ringing my boyfriend.
There wouldn’t be much he could do from miles away, so phoning him would only add to his feelings of distress and helplessness.
In those few seconds I think your gut instinct would kick in but, as we found out last night, your decision could be a matter of life or death.
YES, says Hannah Britt Deputy Head of Lifestyle, Daily Express
I CALL my mum a lot. Good news? Call Mum. Bad news? Call Mum. Can’t work the hoover? Call Mum.
And I also ring my mum in a crisis.
When backpacking through Cambodia, I used my last bar of battery to tell her I was lost, rather than check Google Maps.
I think calling a loved one from under the rubble is actually pretty sensible.
One, they could use the other line to call an ambulance.
Two, nothing would keep you calmer than hearing their voice.
And three, I wouldn’t want to waste my last moments talking to a stranger.
My mum’s would be the last voice I’d want to hear
