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Coronation Street film heartbreaking scenes for Paul Foreman’s funeral as Billy Mayhew and cast arrive at church

BBG News

As someone who has followed Coronation Street for years, I have always been moved by the powerful storylines that the show delivers. But the upcoming episode featuring Paul’s journey with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is one that truly stands out.

On Tuesday in Manchester, the Coronation Street actors filmed touching funeral scenes for Paul Foreman’s character at the set.

At the church for his late spouse’s funeral, Daniel Brocklebank as Billy Mayhew wore a serious expression.

Last April, it was revealed that Paul, also known as Peter Ash, had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Since then, viewers of the soap have observed his condition worsen, resulting in his need to use a wheelchair and rely on a communication device, such as a voice banker.

During a unique, hour-long episode of ITV’s soap opera, airing on Friday, viewers are in for an emotional ride as Billy and Paul spend a meaningful day together, cherishing every moment, aware that their time may be running out.

Previously, it had been shared that Peter would shoot his last scenes as the character Paul, who planned to end his life, during the summer.

Billy acted alongside veteran Weatherfield stars: Andy Whyment as Kirk Sutherland, Jimmi Harkishin as Dev Alahan, Sam Aston as Chesney Brown, and Jack P. Shepherd as David Platt, during the filming of those particular scenes.

Paul was accompanied by his foster daughter, Harriet Bibby as Summer Spellman, along with his mom and sister, Jane Hazelgrove as Bernie and Dolly-Rose Campbell as Gemma.

Bernie’s secret son Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) was also present.  

On July 26, Coronation Street will air an impactful episode showing a entire day in the life of Paul, who has Motor Neuron Disease, told from his own point of view.

In honor of the late Rugby League star Rob Burrow, who sadly lost his life to Motor Neurone Disease last month, this will be a tribute to his memory.

In the course of the episode, Billy arranges a thoughtful outing for himself and Paul, enlisting the assistance of loved ones, following the news that Paul can no longer utilize the stair lift at their apartment due to safety concerns.

In simpler terms, when Paul awakens from a dream and finds that his speech has significantly declined, the audience will follow along with him as he navigates through the day using his inner thoughts and feelings.

Viewers will follow Paul as he revisits the church where he got married, savors beer at the Rovers pub, and spends cherished moments with his loved ones. Through these experiences, Paul shares his deepest thoughts as he grapples with the reality of having a limited amount of time left.

During the conversation about the impactful episode, producer Verity MacLead expressed, “This episode represents one of the most significant and moving milestones in Paul’s journey with Motor Neuron Disease.”

“Coronation Street’s never-before-seen event is exceptional, moving, amusing, and aesthetically pleasing – a must-watch TV experience at its finest!”

In this episode, we aimed to highlight how Paul’s condition of motor neurone disease has progressed to the extent that he can no longer communicate with his dear ones without the assistance of advanced technology. Although this technology is remarkable, it often comes with limitations such as slowness.

Despite undergoing changes in his body, Paul’s lively personality and sharp wit remain unaltered. His mischievous humor, which initially captivated us back in 2018, is still very much present.

We chose to represent this by letting you in on Paul’s inner thoughts through his voice-over, free from the constraints of Motor Neuron Disease.

“Paul’s challenges are vividly portrayed in this production, offering a distinctive perspective. The acting across the board is commendable, with standout performances by Peter Ash and Dan Brocklebank who are simply breathtaking.”

Vicky Thomas’s direction and Debbie Oates’s writing in this episode are simply brilliant. We’re all incredibly proud of the final product.

Peter Ash, aged 39 and portraying the character Paul, expressed his deep sense of pride for being involved in producing that particular episode.

He expressed great pride in contributing to that episode. Upon reading the script, he was deeply moved and sensed its uniqueness, causing him to tear up frequently.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to capture Paul’s innermost thoughts for all of us. It’s a powerful reminder that despite living with Motor Neuron Disease, his mind remains sharp and vibrant. I truly believe that our audience will be moved and inspired by this intimate glimpse into Paul’s world. Everyone involved poured their heart and soul into the project, and I’m proud to have been a part of it.

Daniel Brocklebank, a 44-year-old actor portraying Billy on the soap opera, has a personal connection to Motor Neuron Disease (MND) as he once tragically lost his grandfather to this condition. He also serves as an ambassador for the MND Association.

During the filming of this episode, there were moments that made me cry outright on the set.

‘There was one day I got in the car after work, and I just wept.’

As an obsessed fan, I’ve found myself deeply immersed in Pete and my shared emotional journey with this captivating storyline. We’ve experienced every up and down as if it were our own reality.

Witnessing Pete in that state is deeply moving for me during the performance. Pete’s dedication and meticulousness have been nothing short of remarkable. I truly hope he takes home all the accolades; his talent merits such recognition.

In memory of Rob Burrows, who tragically passed away last month at the age of 41 after bravely fighting motor neurone disease, we will broadcast a unique episode.

In 2019, he received the diagnosis of having the disease, which came only two years following his retirement from a long and successful league career that spanned over 17 seasons.

During his remarkable 16-year athletic journey, this individual proudly represented both England and Great Britain. He made over 100 appearances for each country between the years 2001 and 2017.

In addition to being a prominent rugby player in the United Kingdom, he was also an ardent advocate, joining forces with his ex-teammate and friend, Kevin Sinfield, to bring attention to Motor Neuron Disease.

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2024-07-23 18:37

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