Coronation Street star Peter Ash has both stunned and delighted fans as he revealed that his real-life mum appeared in the soap. The actor is currently winning praise for her portrayal of Paul Foreman in the ITV soap.
The actor is currently portraying a Motor Neurone Disease storyline after Paul was diagnosed with the life-limiting illness in heartbreaking scenes. The former builder discovered the heartbreaking news that he had the fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, in scenes aired in April.
Paul, who only discovered anything was wrong after he was accidentally knocked over by Carla Connor in her Underworld van when she had been unknowingly drugged with LSD by Stephen Reid, kept the news from his loved ones, only confiding in his friend and former flatmate Dee-Dee Bailey.
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The devastating news, however, came spilling out on his sister Gemma Winter's wedding day after his partner Billy Mayhew only made the discovery himself when he headed to court to find out Paul had been stealing cars to fix his money woes, only to have his case quashed due to his life-limiting diagnosis.
There were the emotional scenes when Paul tearfully confessed he was dying to his sister and his mum after his unusually quiet and resistive behaviour caught their attention. The news has spread to more of his loved ones and the rest of the street as they rally round to support him.
The character has since enjoyed a trip away with Billy after his sister gave up her planned honeymoon so the couple could make some memories together before it's too late. They have since returned to the street where Paul was a bit miffed at his mum's interference as she started to fill in forms for her son to receive benefit payments before taking a charity bucket into the pub.
He has since relented and accepted his family's help but was left in tears during scenes aired on Friday night (June 23). After agreeing to make dinner for his loved one, Paul headed on the bus to Freshcos but on his way home, Paul climbed off the bus with his shopping when his leg gave way, sending him sprawling.
Those on the bus didn't rush to help and a woman heading onto the public transport looked at him in disgust as she accused him of being drunk. After the bus driver told him to be more careful before driving off, Bernie rushed over to help an emotional Paul before persuading her reluctant son to let her try out her crystal therapy on him
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Following the scenes airing, Peter took to social media as he shared a snap alongside Bernie actress Jane Hazlegrove and the woman who accused him of being drunk, who just so happened to be his mum. "Me two mams!" the soap star started the caption of his post.
"My amazing mum played the 'rude lady getting on the bus' in tonight's episode! She's obviously nowt like that in reality! In fact she's the best. So is @jane_hazlegrove, my on-screen mum!" he added in clarification following his mum's character's 'rude' appearance.
And fans rushed to comment as they were quick to point out the same thing. @mrs_bee_62 said: "Wow you're so like your mum. Fab acting by your real Mam." @ally_t_scott wrote: "I love Bernie and Paul. Your mum did a good role because I was so annoying shouted at my TV."
@louisegatti replied: "You look so like your mum!!" @sezzalouise84 commented: "You have your mum's smile and dimples." @jomo4921 posted: "Ah brilliant, you look like her." @lynn.hibbert typed: "Image of your mum." @bec_kie shared: "Ahhh love this!!!" @deb.farnsworth.1 added: "This is great, well done to your Mum."
