ITV Corrie fans complain about Steve's behaviour as they praise 'genius' new character pairing

Corrie fans reacted in surprise at violent scenes in the soap as Steve McDonald saw red over his daughter's new boyfriend Jacob Hay.

Steve, played by Simon Gregson, was furious to learn that 18-year-old Amy had collapsed at a club after having her drink spiked and he wrongly pinned the blame on former drug dealer Jacob, played by Jack James Ryan.

When Jacob turned up at the hospital with sandwiches and crisps for Amy's parents and tried to placate Steve, the Street Cars boss warned him to leave.

READ MORE: ITV Corrie actress Rebecca Ryan desperate for scenes with co-star brother

And when Jacob stood his ground and protested his innocence Steve punched the teen just as Amy and mum Tracy appeared.

Some Corrie fans thought the behaviour was out of character for the much-loved character who also has an unsavoury past.

@kathymaryholmes fumed on Twitter: "Totally unbelievable! I’ve had to mute him and read the sub-titles."

@fussyMcWhiskers said: "Steve has clearly forgotten he was the street bad boy when he was that age."

@1Jennyb tweeted: "Steve is behaving out of character."

@CxxPIPxx said: "Someone please tell Jacob that Steve's first marriage was in order to rip off his grandfather-in-law for thousands and he's currently married to a murderer."

And @RyanGTweetsTV said: "That was totally out of character for Steve."

While Coronation Street viewers despaired over Steve's wrath directed at Jacob, others praised the decision to recently bring back Jacob as a reformed character after he roped Amy's cousin Simon Barlow into Harvey Gaskell's evil drugs gang last year.

Get a weekly round-up of Coronation Street news, spoilers and fan chat direct to your inbox.

The newsletter will land in your inbox on a Friday and bring you