Coronation Street viewers were in tears as Paul Foreman was given devastating news in Wesnesday night's episode (April 5). The ITV soap has already announced that it will be exploring the challenges faced by the character, and those around him, in the coming months as he's diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Viewers have been concerned for Paul, played by Peter Ash, ever since he was accidentally knocked over by Carla Connor in her Underworld van and he suffered issues with his hand. Paul has started to notice other issues with balance, mobility and dexterity but is keen to get back to work as a builder.
His world collapsed as he had an appointment with a doctor and asked to know what was going on with the "weird feeling" in his hand not getting better. Paul was alarmed to be told that the doctor would need to refer him to a neuromuscular expert to confrm diagnosis.
READ MORE:
When he asked "of what?", he was told his symptoms were very common with MND limb onset. "If it is limb onset MND over time there will be typically be a gradual but increased loss of muscular strength and coordinataion and in the latter stages an inability to breathe unassisted," said the doctor. He was told there was no cure.
"How long are we talking how long have I got?" he asked, and Paul was told that results varies from patient to patient. When he demanded to know, he was told: "Generally speaking following a diagnosis, life expectancy for 50-per-cent of people with MND is less than three years."
@RyanTheSoapking tweeted with crying emojis: "What a heartbreaking diagnosis. Paul being told he may only have less then 3 years to live." And @MummyKate_85 wrote: "Oh Paul. Typical #Corrie has you laughing one minute and crying the next."
Other fans complained about how the news was delivered including @StVitusDance who said: "Dr. I dont know what it is but I'm going to tell you what it is and tell you youre going to die whilst youre here on your own." And @lgchoc1971 exclaimed: "#corrie poor Paul, the news would not be delivered like that!"
@ronan367 said: "That is not how a doctor would behave and talk to a patient. So insensitive." @janetfauret tweeted: "Well she’s sympathetic. Worst bedside manner EVER." And @cassam101 said: "Poor Paul, Dr giving him life expectancy without evidence of diagnosis."
@JillHudson21 asked: "Why tell him about an illness you have no idea he has?? You’re sending him to a specialist, let him test and decide!!!" @ChurchieBoy1986 also wondered: "Why tell him when your not sure bit silly." And @chloeelou_x protested: "Surely this doctor shouldn’t be giving Paul all this information if she isn’t even sure it is the right diagnosis?"
But @itzzzo_pointed out: "Tbf to the dr Paul did ask her to tell him." And @RyanTheSoapking applauded: "@PeterAsh_85 is incredible in these scenes. . MND is so rarely covered in soaps and I'm so glad that Corrie are raising awareness on this Heartbreaking condition."
The diagnosis will be confirmed later in the month and fans will see Paul keeps the diagnosis from his partner Billy Mayhew and his family, confiding only in friend Dee Dee Bailey. Peter, who has played Paul in the ITV soap since 2019, said of his new storyline: "Paul is completely blindsided by the diagnosis and he decides to keep it from his family and friends as he tries to come to terms with the news.
"I knew very little about MND before embarking on the storyline and I am hugely grateful to the MND Association for all their help and support. For any actor playing a role which examines a real life issue or condition there comes a huge sense of responsibility and we are aware that some people watching this storyline are experiencing it in reality, it is their life."
MND is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It attacks the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work. MND does not usually affect the senses such as sight, sound and feeling but it can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breathe.
Coronation Street is working closely with the MND Association on this storyline. Producer Iain Macleod said of the twist in Paul's story after he was recently reunited with Billy: "Motor Neurone Disease is something that many people might have heard of but perhaps don’t know a lot about, even given the recent cases of public figures talking about their experiences of living with the condition.
"A show like Coronation Street is uniquely placed to show the day-to-day reality of dealing with an illness that gradually and progressively erodes the physical attributes that you perhaps take for granted, changing forever the way you interact with the world around you."
@SnowAndBeach praised: "Great to see @itvcorrie tackling the big topics & making awareness for MND!" And @3rdvalveslide said: "Poignant scenes in #corrie Thinking of my old train driver mate Vinnie. Passed away with MND last year."
@Deew04 wrote: "Fair play raising awareness for MND horrible disease affecting more & more fit & young." And @dvdcks47 said: "Great to see Corrie highlighting MND .. the disease with no cure ..lost a good friend to this horrible disease."
READ NEXT:
