A CORONATION Street star has paid tribute to their on-screen partner amid a heartbreaking exit.
The ITV soap is known for producing some tear-jerking storylines over its long run.
It’s latest one focuses on Paul Foreman, who was diagnosed with MND last year.
Coronation Street viewers have watched as Paul’s condition deteriorates, and now actor Peter Ash – who plays Paul – has opened up about the storyline and his inevitable departure from the show.
Speaking at the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards, he said: “It’s a bit of a double edged sword, you know?
“Really sad to go, but like, really grateful that they trusted me with this storyline. So, some mixed emotions about leaving.”
Peter also paid tribute to his co-star Daniel Brocklebank, who plays Paul’s husband Billy.
He 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.”
Peter was also full of praise for the show’s writers and how they’ve still managed to find light moments within such a sad storyline.
He said: “Despite it being so horrific, Corrie have managed to write in moments of levity and humour that you have in real life.
“You make light of the awful things you’re going through and the audience has responded to that, families living through a similar situation have picked out those little human moments or jokey lines. It’s made me realise we are getting this right.”
Daniel previously revealed how his grandfather died of MND 20 years ago.
He said as the storyline was announced: “We have a huge opportunity to educate – we are in people’s living rooms for three hours a week – it will evoke conversations and questions within families.
“This is going to reach a new audience and hopefully will increase awareness and discussion.”
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.
Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.
