Reflecting on what the story said about society as a whole, Bartlett explained: “It seems that more and more attention is being drawn to bullying and that can only be a good thing.
“Hopefully, it will make action against it easier, and more likely, but I think history tells us that it doesn’t tend to go away.
“I believe that’s what this drama is exploring; whether there’s something in who we are as human beings that means this keeps on happening in all different contexts.
“If the show is trying to do anything it’s to identify it. If you see bullying in your workplace, if you feel it, if you know it’s happening, do not dismiss it or ignore it or feel like you have to put up with it.
He added: “The consequences of this behaviour can be life and death.”
Sticks and Stones airs on ITV tonight at 9pm