Coronation Street fans were left devastated after spoilers revealed that Paul Foreman's ill health will lead to an awful diagnosis. The ITV soap 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 after unknowingly being drugged with LSD by Stephen Reid. After suffering with issues with his hand, he was initially told he had a bruised nerve.
However, in scenes aired on Friday night (March 24), Paul was seen being referred to a specialist and was told his current problems weren't the result of the accident, meaning he won't be able to continue with his compensation claim which flatmate Dee-Dee Bailey encouraged him to make.
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It won't be until early April that Paul, who will start to notice other issues with balance, mobility and dexterity, is given the devastating news that it is very likely he has MND with the diagnosis then being confirmed later in the month. Fans will see Paul keeps the diagnosis from his partner Billy Mayhew and his family, confiding only in Dee Dee.
Peter, who has played Paul in the ITV soap since 2019 after a brief appearance the year before, 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."
He added: "Awareness and education are really important. I have learned so much even in the short time I have been involved in this storyline. We hope Paul’s journey can make people more aware of the symptoms and what it is like for someone to live with MND."
But as Corrie fans tuned into the latest instalment of Weatherfield action, knowing how things will eventually end for Paul, they couldn't help but notice how quickly Paul received a text message telling him he had an appointment with a neurologist that day, just one day after his doctor's appointment.
@AnotherMSWarrio complained: "Next day #neurology appointment!!! #Corrie drifts even further from reality!" @wendi64 joked: "Referral from GP for neurologist then text message the following day from the hospital offering an appointment! I can hardly believe it! Oh hang on a minute did I say this was on #coronationstreet?!"
@sue_simmonds asked: "Who the f**k gets an appointment that quickly? I’ve been waiting 9 months for a rheumatology appointment #Corrie." @karen_renton shared: "Weatherfield is a magical place and Dr Gadaas is a wizard getting referral appointments the following day #Corrie." And @CaroleAnn1982 added, while also referencing a tragic death on the street which also took place this week: "Time whizzes by in @itvcorrie Cerberus' ashes cooled as quickly as Paul got a hospital appointment #corrie."
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