ITV Coronation Street’s Peter Ash reveals biggest hurdle in Paul Foreman’s devastating MND storyline
CORONATION Street star Peter Ash opened up about the difficult moments filming his big exit storyline.
Peter’s character Paul Foreman was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, which will lead to a future exit storyline.
The actor revealed he has received an overwhelming response and messages of support from viewers about the harrowing storyline and devastating scenes.
He said: “People have been lovely. They say they don’t want him to go and things like that. Again, I really appreciate that. The fans are amazing. We have amazing fans and it’s great.”
Peter also addressed how his character was trying to hide his symptoms from loved ones.
Recent scenes have seen Paul lose the ability to use his hand and his foot.
The actor shared how it was difficult it was to portray the symptoms of MND accurately.
He said: “It’s just another layer of things you’ve got to think about.
“I have to be super aware that I’m not subconsciously just using [the hand and foot]. So as you’ll probably notice, I have the right hand in the right pocket a lot.
“So that I’m not tempted to use it on set, and also because the character is trying to hide it so it’s a place to hide it I suppose.
“Now that he has the leg, the foot drop symptom, that’s also a bit harder and very hard to hide. So that’s why he’s not wanting to go to the wedding and things.
“Yeah, it just it just another layer of things you have got to think about. It’s the technical side as opposed to the emotional side.”
Upcoming scenes will see Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) try to persuade Paul to attend his sister’s wedding.
Paul is finally convinced when he hears from Joseph Brown (William Flanagan) that Gemma (Dolly-Rose Campbell) has been crying, which prompts him to apologise and all is forgiven.
The ceremony is well underway and emotions run high as Gemma and Chesney exchange vows.
In later scenes, Paul drags Gemma up for a duet, while Billy and Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove) hit the dance floor – leaving Paul determined to grab happiness while he can.
Will Paul’s life-shortening condition finally be revealed to his family?