ITV has received dozens of complaints after Coronation Street character Ken Barlow criticised Christianity and claimed that his grandson Simon’s school was indoctrinating him.

Barlow, played by Bill Roach, said in the show, "He [Simon] is already being indoctrinated. I went to his assembly last week and they had paintings on the wall depicting creation. He is being taught creationism."

He also said he would tell Simon “the truth” about religion.

Since the Easter special was aired, ITV has been inundated with complaints from viewers.

An ITV spokesman responded by saying, "Coronation Street is a soap opera set in modern society and therefore represents views from all side of the religious spectrum.

"At the moment we have a very positive story involving Sophie Webster and her new found interest in religion, Emily Bishop has also always been seen as a very positive representation of Christianity. Likewise Ken Barlow's different views on religion have always been a strong aspect of his character," reports the Telegraph.

One of those complaining, identified only as Johnandy, said, "It was utterly outrageous that Ken should make the outright attacks on the Christian faith which he did during Sunday's episode.”

"Corrie has always, as far as I could tell, been absolutely neutral on the issue of religion/faith and I have to wonder where the Sophie-story is going.”

"When it comes to atheistic/agnostic/humanist views being propounded in the pre-eminent soap opera in the UK, and on Easter Sunday to boot, that is completely unacceptable.”

It was revealed last week that the programme is planning a new storyline in which “born-again Christian” Sophie Webster enters into a lesbian affair, apparently to make the show more reflective modern Britain.