THE passing of a beloved Coronation Street character has left residents in mourning, as the shocking funeral scenes have been unveiled.
Corrie viewers know that the terminally ill Paul Foreman, portrayed by Peter Ash, will pass away following a devastating battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
New pictures reveal the heartbroken cast gathered to pay tribute at Paul’s funeral, who is reportedly set to pass away in just a matter of weeks.
Residents were pictured on set filming the funeral episode on location at a church in Manchester.
Paul’s on-screen husband Billy Mayhew, played by Daniel Brocklebank, was in attendance, with his foster daughter Summer Spellman, played by Harriett Bibby.
It appears that Billy will be leading the funeral service, as he was pictured dressed in his full vicar regalia.
Paul’s family were also present as mum Bernie (Jane Hazelgrove) and sister Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) looked devastated as they embraced each other.
Policeman Kit Green, who has only just been revealed as Paul’s long-lost brother, was also at the funeral.
Other castmates included Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin), Chesney Brown (Sam Aston), David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) and Aadi Alahan (Adam Hussain).
Despite the bleak storyline, the cast members were seen laughing and joking in between takes.
Talking about Paul’s final scenes, Daniel told Digital Spy: “I think what Billy is realising, as I think most people should, in life, generally anyway, is that actually the small things are the biggest. You don’t need grand gestures or expensive gifts, it is in the detail, the little things that matter the most.
“So I think it is absolutely about them just trying to utilise any bit of joy, squeeze any last bit of joy out of any little moment that they can.”
Corrie viewers were left sobbing after the occupational therapist informed the couple that the stairlift is too dangerous to use, leaving Paul housebound.
In emotional scenes, Billy takes his husband out one last time to enjoy his favourite things, before he’s prevented from leaving the flat in the safety of his wheelchair.
The special episode gave viewers an insight into Paul’s thoughts and feelings as he is unable to voice them due to the devastating effects of MND.
Billy was left relieved after Paul changed his mind about ending his life that day, after spending time with his nephews and nieces.
However, with Paul’s exit imminent, will Billy go through with his vow to Paul to help him die?
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.”
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.
