AFTER watching Paul Foreman waste away for the past year with motor neurone disease, Coronation Street viewers have hit out at the soap writers begging them to let him die with dignity.
The beloved character, played by Peter Ash, was diagnosed with the fatal illness in 2023.
Since then he has lost his ability to walk, and as his muscles continue to weaken, was recently warned that it is not safe for him to leave the house anymore.
Paul has been battling the rare condition for over a year now and has slowly lost his spark.
At one point he contemplated euthanasia because he wanted his life to end on his own terms.
Now Paul’s funeral is on the horizon, several Coronation Street viewers have complained that his storyline has been dragged out unnecessarily.
One soap fan pleaded: “Please wind this storyline up now, I liked Paul’s character and sad to see him go but this is just getting drawn out now, call it a day.”
Another agreed: “Brilliant opportunity to end it last week on a really good episode but now it feels like it’s getting dragged.”
A third hit out: “It amazes me how long this storyline has been dragged out for. Any longer and the original script will receive a silver jubilee.”
In recent heartbreaking scenes Paul’s husband Billy (Daniel Brocklebank) took him on one last trip out of their flat to create some final memories before he became housebound on the doctor’s orders.
The couple visited the church where they got married, sipped on some beer bubbles in the Rovers, and spent time with family.
Ahead of Peter Ash’s exit from the soap, the actor paid tribute to his on-screen partner Daniel Brocklebank.
He told Radio Times: “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.”
Daniel, 44, spoke exclusively to The Sun at last year’s NTAs about his real-life link to the storyline.
The star revealed: “My grandfather died of Motor Neuron Disease and I have been an ambassador for the MND Association for the last 23 years.
“The subject is very close to my heart, I’m hoping that we are doing it justice and bringing a lot of awareness to such a cruel disease.”
SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust.
Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.
EASTENDERS
Barry Evans – Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying.
Her plan to inherit Barry’s fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files.
Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was “fake”.
Bradley Branning – Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater’s rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died.
He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.
Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death.
CORONATION STREET
Tina McIntyre – Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow – despite him being married to Carla Connor.
When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla’s brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.
Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony – then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.
In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.
EMMERDALE
Sarah Sugden – After the family got into financial problems, Sarah’s son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.
He didn’t realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.
Nine villagers – The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.
Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash.
Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died.
HOLLYOAKS
Carmel McQueen – The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family’s car.
Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble – but got stuck in it herself.
Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.
