CORONATION Street’s Paul Foreman is inching closer to death in heartbreaking scenes set to air next week.
Paul (Peter Ash) will use some of his remaining time to make plans for his husband Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) to help him cope once he’s gone.
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.
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.
“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.
