In tragic scenes that will premiere next week, Paul Foreman of Coronation Street is getting closer to passing away.
With what little time he has left, Paul (Peter Ash) will arrange for his husband Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) to help him deal with his death.
As Coronation Street viewers know, Paul has been battling motor neuron disease (MND) – a rare condition which affects the brain and nerves.
The character uses a wheelchair and requires the assistance of a carer in order to fulfil his daily needs.
Paul has also found comfort in pre-recording elements of his voice on his tablet for when he can no longer speak himself.
Tragically, he was told that he doesn’t have much longer to live. Now Paul is making the most of the time he has left.
In episodes airing next week, Paul will spend some much needed time with his sister Gemma (Dolly Rose Campbell) when she calls at the flower shop flat with Joseph and the quads ready for their first day at school. To mark the occasion, Billy takes some pictures of all of them together.
Later in the week, Paul starts making plans for his husband, Billy, to help him cope when he’s gone.
Paul records a manifesto of all the things he’d like Billy to do after he’s gone, but when he attempts to play it to Billy and Summer (Harriett Bibby), his synthesiser has run out of power.
Summer takes charge and orders Billy to get some fresh air whilst Paul rests. With Billy being out, will Summer be able to help Paul?
Later, David (Jack P. Shepherd) calls at the flower shop flat and gives Paul a haircut. When David suggests to a reluctant Billy that they go for a drink, Paul insists he should have some fun.
Meanwhile, Paul and his long-lost half-brother Kit (Jacob Roberts) agree that they should spend as much time as they can to make up for all the lost years.
Corrie will air Paul’s devastating death in just a matter of weeks, with his funeral scenes having already been filmed.
The cast of the show was snapped on set, filming the funeral episode by a church in Manchester.
Ahead of his exit, actor Peter Ash paid tribute to his on-screen partner Daniel Brocklebank while speaking at the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards.
Peter said: “Working with Daniel from day one has been amazing. We have so much fun.
“And yeah, obviously because he has a personal connection to MND, he’s a great source of information and insight.
“And I’ll very much miss working with him,” he added.
