Coronation Street’s Paul Foreman diagnosed with motor neurone disease in heartbreaking storyline

Coronation Street’s Paul Foreman will be diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in upcoming heartbreaking scenes.

The character, played by Peter Ash, has been suffering from hand health problems in recent weeks after a drugged Carla Connor accidentally ran him over.

And though he was taken off work with what was believed to be muscle and nerve damage, it turns out that Paul’s condition is much worse, and the builder will receive the fatal diagnosis.

In Thursday’s installment of the ITV soap, Paul visits a specialist about his injuries after suffering balance, mobility and dexterity issues, with Coronation Street later revealing that the character will be told in early April that he likely has MND. , and the condition will be confirmed. later that month.

With the life-shortening disease established, it means Paul will eventually quit the soap as he loses his fight against the fatal condition.

Shock: Although he was fired from the job with what was believed to be muscle and nerve damage, it turns out that Paul’s condition is much worse, and the builder will receive the fatal diagnosis.

He National Health Service describes motor neurone disease as: ‘A rare condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that worsens over time.

The weakness is caused by deterioration of motor neurons, the upper motor neurons that travel from the brain to the spinal cord, and the lower motor neurons that extend to the face, throat, and extremities.

There is no cure for MND and the disease is fatal, however the disease progresses at different rates in patients.

People with MND are expected to live two to five years after the first symptoms appear, although 10 percent of sufferers live at least 10 years.

Coronation Street is working closely with the MND Association on the hard-hitting story that will explore the challenges Paul will face in the coming weeks and months, and how it will affect his friends and family.

Paul initially decides to hide his diagnosis from those closest to him, including his partner Billy (Daniel Brocklebank) and his sister Gemma (Dolly-Rose Campbell), however, he confides in his roommate Dee Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling- brown).

The story will follow the progression of the disease as Paul tries to cope on his own before finally breaking the news to his loved ones.

Speaking of Paul’s diagnosis, actor Peter Ash, 38, stated: “Paul is completely shocked by the diagnosis and decides to keep it from his family and friends as he tries to come to terms with the news.

Accident: The character, played by Peter Ash, has been suffering from health problems in his hand in recent weeks after he was accidentally run over by a drugged Carla Connor.

Bad news: Coronation Street has revealed that the character will be told in early April that he likely has MND, with the condition confirmed later that month.

Tragic: With the life-shortening disease established, it means Paul will eventually leave the soap opera as he loses his fight against the fatal condition.

“I knew very little about MND before embarking on the story and am extremely grateful to the MND Association for all their help and support. For any actor playing a role that examines a real life problem or condition, there comes a great sense of responsibility and we are aware that some people watching this story are experiencing it in reality, it’s their life.’

He continued: ‘Awareness and education are really important. I have learned a lot even in the short time that I have been involved in this story. We hope that Paul’s journey can make people more aware of the symptoms and what it is like for someone to live with MND.’

Meanwhile, Corrie’s producer Iain Macleod said of the plot: “Motor neurone disease is something many people may have heard of but may not know much about, even given recent instances of public figures speaking about their experiences of living with the condition.

“A show like Coronation Street is uniquely positioned to show the day-to-day reality of dealing with a disease that gradually and progressively erodes physical attributes you might take for granted, forever changing the way you interact with the world around you.

“At first, Paul, who as a builder is completely dependent on his physique for his livelihood, will go off the rails massively in a misguided attempt to ensure he isn’t a burden to his loved ones. But in the end, they will be the ones who put him back together emotionally.

“We are committed to sensitively and long-term portraying the effects of this condition on Paul and his family and friends, without shying away from the sometimes painful reality of what his life will be like.

“We’ve had the privilege of working with the Motor Neurone Disease Association, including speaking with people living with the condition and their families, to ensure we do justice to people’s real-life experiences.”

While MND Association Director of External Affairs Chris James added: ‘We are truly grateful to the Coronation Street team for choosing to tackle this difficult issue.

“Putting MND in front of millions of viewers each week will raise incredible awareness and help educate people who have never faced this disease, showing the daily reality of those living with it and the impact on their families, friends and neighbors. also.

“The Coronation Street team have been incredibly responsible in considering the stories, settings and scripts, spending a lot of time talking with us and with members of the MND community to ensure that the on-screen portrayal of MND is realistic, sympathetic and sensitive.”