Coronation Street star Peter Ash has teased the potential end of Paul Foreman and Billy Mayhew's relationship as Paul makes a huge mistake. Viewers of the ITV soap know, have recently been watching the former builder coming to terms with being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
Paul was diagnosed with the life-limiting illness in heartbreaking scenes back in April. The character discovered the news that he had the fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, alone as he kept the news hidden from Billy and his family, only confiding in former flatmate Dee-Dee Bailey.
The truth about Paul's health, 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, came out when Billy 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.
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And later his sister Gemma Winter's wedding day. 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 since spread to more of his loved ones and the rest of the street as they rally around to support him.
Next week, the chilli eating competition, an idea from Paul's mum Bernie and sister Gemma in order to raise funds for equipment Paul will need as the life-limiting disease progresses, takes place in the bistro. As the crowd roar Dev, Chesney and Shona on, Gemma reminds everyone to give generously.
Bernie counts the money raised and hands Paul £800 which leaves him touched by their generosity. Back at the flat, Billy and Bernie argue over religion versus crystals as while Billy suggested Paul be baptised, Bernie has been keen to help her son with her alternative methods.
But asserting that their constant interference isn’t helpful, Paul storms out. Having escaped to a hotel bar, Paul spots Zac, a blast from his past, and offers to buy him a drink.
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Later, Paul wakes up in the hotel bedroom with a monumental hangover. Reaching for his jacket, he realises with horror that Zac has stolen the £800 charity money. Returning home, Billy’s relieved as Paul explains he had one too many and passed out on a mate’s sofa.
But when Billy suggests they use the charity money to buy a stairlift and offers to bank it for him, Paul snaps. Awash with guilt, Paul eventually confesses to Billy how he met Zac, an old flame, they got drunk and things got out of hand leaving Billy appalled. Can Billy and Paul put recent events behind them?
Speaking about why Paul decided to tell Billy the truth, actor Peter said: "He just realises how much he's messed up after everything that Billy's done for him and is doing for him. He comes clean and he basically says, ‘I messed up and I don't know why you're with me as I don't deserve you’."
But could this be the end of Billy and Paul? "It’s definitely a big moment," Manchester actor Peter replied when quizzed on his on-screen relationship. He puts it on the line knowing that Billy could very rightly just walk out the door after that. There are certain lines that can’t be crossed, and this could be one of them. It's a horrible situation."
