Coronation Street star Natalie Amber reveals her disability has ‘changed her for the better’ after appearing in the soap’s emotional Motor Neurone Disease storyline

Coronation Street star Natalie Amber reveals her disability has 'changed her for the better' after appearing in the soap's emotional Motor Neurone Disease storyline

As a lifestyle expert with a deep appreciation for resilience and determination, I am deeply inspired by Natalie Amber’s journey. Her experiences, both personal and professional, serve as a powerful testament to the transformative power of adversity.


Actress Natalie Amber from “Coronation Street” shared that her disability has had a positive impact on her life, stating it has made her stronger, while she persists in backing Rob Burrows’ charitable endeavors.

Last year, I became part of the ITV soap opera, taking on the role of Shelly Rossington, a character battling Motor Neurone Disease. Unfortunately, my stint on the cobbles was brief. My dear friend Paul Foreman (Peter Ash), who shared the same diagnosis, received the tragic news of my passing.

A relatively uncommon ailment, known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS, impacts both the brain and the nerves, ultimately proving to be lethal over time.

Progressively worsening symptoms like muscle weakness, involuntary twitches, impaired speech clarity, and trouble with swallowing are experienced.

Through her fictional character’s narrative, Natalie gained a deeper understanding of the destruction the disease brings. Since parting ways with the cobblestones, she has persisted in advocating, aiming to increase public knowledge about this health issue.

Coronation Street star Natalie Amber reveals her disability has 'changed her for the better' after appearing in the soap's emotional Motor Neurone Disease storyline

Coronation Street star Natalie Amber reveals her disability has 'changed her for the better' after appearing in the soap's emotional Motor Neurone Disease storyline

In an interview with The Mirror, Natalie, who portrayed Shelly on the soap opera for a span of two months, shared that her disability has positively transformed her.

As an ardent enthusiast, a burning desire to aid and bring about positive change for others has always coursed through my veins. After experiencing the captivating character of Shelly, this passion only intensified, fueling an unquenchable thirst for even greater impact. My personal journey with disability has bestowed upon me an abundance of empathy, deepening my commitment to making a difference in the world.

When Natalie was 35, she fell on stage while performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

A slipped disc penetrated her spinal cord and she ended up spending three years in hospital. 

Despite her disability, she resumed acting in 2017 and has a history of roles in Silent Witness, Life, ITV’s Paranoid, and the popular Netflix series Fool Me Once.

In an interview with The Mirror, the actress admitted that securing auditions became significantly harder following her accident. However, despite landing roles, she occasionally encountered discrimination while working on film sets.

She remembered: ‘Their attitude was abysmal, and I felt demeaned during auditions. They would dismiss me harshly, saying, “Your character wouldn’t be seated.”‘

Yet, the actress asserted that she opted for an experiment by omitting her use of a wheelchair during auditions, aiming to secure roles without disclosing this information.

Coronation Street star Natalie Amber reveals her disability has 'changed her for the better' after appearing in the soap's emotional Motor Neurone Disease storyline
Coronation Street star Natalie Amber reveals her disability has 'changed her for the better' after appearing in the soap's emotional Motor Neurone Disease storyline

Additionally, she acknowledged that if she had called beforehand to inquire about the accessibility of the audition, there would have been an awkward pause or moment of silence on their side of the conversation.

Prior to her character’s demise on ITV’s soap opera, she shared intense emotional moments with Peter Ash (aged 39) and Daniel Brocklebank (age 44), who portrays the role of Billy Mayhew, Paul’s partner.

Based on The Mirror’s report, the duo showed exceptional kindness towards her, going out of their way to assist her. Unfortunately, not all individuals she met on the film set were receptive or open-minded.

The star admitted that people could often be ‘unpleasant’ ‘patronising’ and ‘impatient’ and never asked if she needed any help. 

Natalie’s health problems began after she joined a theatre company in America in 2010. 

Throughout her stay, she experienced four distinct falls and persevered despite the discomfort, however, the agony eventually grew so intense that it left her struggling to walk.

Later on, it was disclosed that the celebrity underwent multiple spinal surgeries over a period of four years as an effort to mend a herniated disk. During this time, she needed to have two damaged discs replaced with artificial ones.

Additionally, she admitted that the surgery she had in 2014 was not a simple procedure and it resulted in her staying in the hospital for three long years.

As reported by The Mirror, Natalie currently lacks mobility in her left leg due to an injury, and the intense pain in her back prevents her from applying pressure on her right leg.

Apart from the known reports, she is said to experience issues with her neuropathic bowel and bladder function, sometimes requiring the use of a nutritional support tube for meals.

In addition to her acting career, Natalie also functions as a key figure in the access department at the BAFTA-winning organization TripleC. This innovative group is dedicated to expanding possibilities for actors with disabilities, hearing impairments, and those who are neurodiverse.

Additionally, she has recently taken charge of and attended a fundraising event named “Roll and Raise” in support of the MND Association, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, and the Rob Burrow Centre. This event aims to collect funds for these organizations.

As a lifestyle guide, I regretfully share the news that a beloved rugby legend recently departed at the tender age of 41. Sadly, this tragic event occurred about five years following his diagnosis with a debilitating neurological disorder.

Coronation Street star Natalie Amber reveals her disability has 'changed her for the better' after appearing in the soap's emotional Motor Neurone Disease storyline

Read More

2024-08-02 12:21

Previous post Pokémon Go Mega Rayquaza Raid: Best Moveset, Counters and Tips
Next post BBC Breakfast thrown into chaos as fans rage over major technical blunder – and live performance from Edinburgh Fringe seriously backfires