Corrie star shares 'deep sadness' to lose Peter Ash in Paul death story

Paul is now living with MND (Pictures: ITV)

Peter Ash’s exit has been confirmed in Coronation Street, following the news Paul Foreman is dying after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

For Daniel Brocklebank, who plays Billy Mayhew – Paul’s partner – this means working with his co-star for one final time in a highly emotional storyline.

‘Even though we know it isn’t real, knowing that Pete’s time to show is now coming to an end, there is a deep sadness in that’, he explained to Metro.co.uk recently.

‘I mean, Jane Hazlegrove, who plays Bernie, she can’t keep up bloody eyes dry at all! She sees Pete limping onto the set and she’s welling up. We’re grieving Peter leaving, Peter’s not dying but the emotions are genuine.’

Discussing his character’s reaction to the news about Paul, he said: ‘Obviously, Billy being Billy he does the research on what the potential outcome is, especially as he’s not been there through the initial diagnosis and journey with him. Of course, he’s devastated. I think it’s a difficult thing as he’s going to be stuck in between being a pastoral role, but also, this is a personal journey, so it’s not the same as a parishioner.

Teasing what’s ahead for Billy and Paul, Daniel revealed: ‘I think it’s going to be a really lovely blend. I think there’s going to be some really nice moments, you know, Billy and Paul really ticking things off bucket lists of adventures together and sort of trying to find that happiness in every moment that they can. There will be differences along the way. But I think there’s going to be some really fun moments, as well. So, it’s not all going to be, you know, doom and gloom and woe is us.’

‘Even in the bleakest of moments, there is a huge amount of humour to be had’, he added.

‘And I’m sure we’ll find it. I think we’ve tried to find it even when it’s not in there. To try to sort of stay positive as it’s bloody exhausting crying for 12 hours a day. It’s knackering. And then you’ve got to come home and look at your lines for next day, which is again, 12 hours of crying.

‘So, if you can find moments where you can find a little like emphasis within the dialogue, the scenes, the staging of it, whatever. We have such a giggle at work anyway, it’s a joyous place to work. I can’t believe I get paid for it!’.

For even more exclusive spoilers and interviews, sign up to Metro’s Soaps newsletter