Coronation Street confirm special episode as star bids farewell after six years

Coronation Street is set to air a special episode dedicated to Paul Foreman's story.

The fan favourite has been at the centre of a hard-hitting storyline about Motor Neurone Disease (MND), learning he has months to live and considering the idea of ending his own life.

Next week, his husband Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) calls the family together for a meeting at No.5 where Paul plays them a prerecorded message telling him that he’s dying, he can’t bear anymore fighting and right now he needs his mother Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove) more than ever.

Gemma Winter-Brown (Dolly-Rose Campbell) glumly reveals the landlord is sending someone to view No.5 later. On the street, Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) is stunned to see an estate agent ushering Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) inside No.5.

A new occupational therapist calls on Paul at the flat and tells him the stairlift is now too dangerous and he can no longer leave the flat. Billy tells Paul they will leave the flat one last time tomorrow and can do whatever he fancies.

Friday's (July 26) episode will be devoted entirely to Paul’s story he wakes to discover his speech has drastically deteriorated but is determined to enjoy his last day of freedom out of the flat after being told he can no longer use the stair lift.

The emotional instalment follows Paul and Billy as they spend the day doing the things that Paul loves and wants to do whilst he still can. It is an emotional roller coaster for both men.

The couple, as viewers know, got married last year in what were truly historic and groundbreaking scenes, proving to be the first same sex wedding in the ITV soap’s six decades on air.

Paul confirmed that Billy’s vicar friend had agreed to marry them in a church in secret. They made their way over and took part in another ceremony, with Billy tearful over his dream finally becoming a reality.