Coronation Street viewers were left in tears on Wednesday evening as the ITV drama broadcasted Paul Foreman's funeral.
Paul tragically died last month after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) last year and on Wednesday night his loved ones gathered for his poignant funeral.
Billy Mayhew was particularly distressed as the funeral fell on what would have been his and Paul's first wedding anniversary. Later in the episode, he encountered Paul's estranged and intoxicated father, Denny, whom he instructed to behave and stay out of sight during the service.
The funeral proceeded with many of Paul's friends and Weatherfield locals moved as they commemorated his life. After the touching ceremony, Paul's protective mother, Bernie Winter, was enraged to see Denny and she confronted Billy for allowing him to attend her son's funeral.
In a harsh and heartbreaking revelation, Bernie chose to lash out and informed Billy that his final phone call with husband Paul was pointless as he was already dead and everyone lied to make him feel better, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Billy was left shocked by the devastating news and later arrived at the wake drunk before running away from the pub, where Todd Grimshaw followed him and assisted him home. The pair had a sincere conversation, where a drunken Billy attempted to kiss him before collapsing in Todd's arms, overwhelmed with sorrow.
On Twitter, now X, viewers expressed their heartbreak for Billy following the harsh revelation from Bernie and the emotional scenes of Paul's funeral. One viewer tweeted: "Cruel Bernie cruel #corrie", while another posted: "#Corrie OMG. "He was already dead". Nothing like making Billy's day even worse".
A third commented: "#Corrie "He was already dead Billy." That was uncalled for Bernie. Today of all days" and another added: "How could you do that Bernie that's unforgivable #Corrie."
In other reactions, a fan shared their feelings about the emotional funeral scenes: "i'm already sobbing #corrie", another wrote: "I'm not crying, you're crying. #Corrie" and another upset soap watcher said: "Paul's funeral is so emotional #Corrie" accompanied by a series of crying emojis.
Coronation Street continues on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV and ITV X.
