Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will suffer a devastating fall in upcoming Coronation Street scenes as his motor neurone disease (MND) symptoms worsen.
Peter Ash, who plays the character, was pictured filming on-location for the ITV soap scenes which will air later this year.
Paul is seen in the snaps using a walking stick to get around, but things take a turn when he collapses to the floor. This comes shortly after his leg gave way while getting off a bus, resulting in him falling to the ground.
The builder, as viewers know, was diagnosed with MND earlier this year after a trip to the doctors due to hand issues which prevented him from working.
He had been under the impression that an accident he was involved in previously was the reason why he’d been unable to work, but the neurologist confirmed that he has MND, which came as a huge shock to him.
There is currently no cure for MND, which means that this storyline will ultimately end in Paul’s death, and an exit from the show for Peter Ash.
‘I’ll be sad to leave the show,’ the star said when the storyline was first announced. ‘It’s been such an amazing job, I’ve met fantastic people.’
After months of keeping his condition to himself, Paul ultimately confided in his loved ones, informing Billy Matthew (Daniel Brocklebank) and Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell), who have both vowed to support him.
Billy encouraged Paul to go to an MND support group, and Paul ultimately agrees to do so, but things take quite a turn next week, with Billy left in shock.
Paul is inspired by Shelly from the support group, who urges him to take control, telling him that if there’s something he’s always dreamed of doing, then to do it now.
Taking her advice, Paul tells Billy that he’s got something important to ask him. Billy excitedly reckons that Paul is going to propose and therefore he prepares to have the question popped.
Paul, however, reveals that, when the time comes, he’d like him to help him end his life.
‘[Billy] is absolutely horrified,’ actor Daniel Brocklebank told us of the development. ‘Because it not only goes against his own personal moral stance, but also his role as an Archdeacon is very much about celebrating the life they’ve got left rather than terminating it.
‘He wants them to have more time together, not less. So he’s absolutely horrified that Paul is even considering it.
‘I think there’s a lot of reasons, both personally professionally and spiritually, why Billy is against the assisted dying thing.’
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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