Coronation Street star Peter Ash appeared almost unrecognisable as he gave a glimpse of himself in his next role. There are tragic scenes ahead for the actor and viewers of the ITV soap as his character Paul Foreman dies.
Fans will remember that Paul was first introduced to Corrie viewers when he shared a prison cell with David Platt back in May 2018. However, the character didn’t officially appear in Weatherfield until January 2019, when he arrived looking for his twin sister, Gemma.
The rest, as they say, is history and after finding love on the cobbles, Paul was hit with the devastating news that he had Motor Neurone Disease – the life-shortening disease in which messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles.
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Since being diagnosed with MND, for which there is currently no cure, Paul’s condition has continued to deteriorate, much to the frustration and sadness of Paul and the heartbreak of those around him.
There were recently tear-jerking scenes when Paul headed on a day out with his husband Billy Mayhew, played by Daniel Brocklebank, after being told it was no longer safe for him to use the stairlift in the flat that gives him his freedom amid his deteriorating health as a result declining health.
Corrie spoilers for next week have now confirmed that Paul’s death will feature in next week’s episodes. The new preview has revealed that whilst complaining of his hangover, Billy realises he’s lost his phone and is thrown into panic as it contains all of his photos and memories.
As he sets off to retrace his steps, Summer Spellman and Bernie Winter are horrified to discover Paul unresponsive on the sofa, struggling to breathe.
Summer calls an ambulance but realising that Billy has left Paul at the worst possible time, with no way of contacting him, Bernie and Summer do everything they can to keep Paul alive. With the odds against him, will Billy make it in time to say his final goodbye to Paul?
But with Corrie filming several weeks in advance, it means Peter has already finished his life on the cobbles and as well as previously admitting to enjoying the ‘lie-ins’, he’s now given a first look at what’s next.
It was announced during the summer that the soap star will star in Oldham’s pantomime this festive season, playing Abanazar in the production of Aladdin at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which starts on December 14 and finishes on January 4, 2024.
Taking to Instagram on Friday (September 6), Peter reshared a post from Anton Benson Productions, the northwest theatre company behind the panto, in which he could be seen getting into character with months to go until his first performance.
“Coronation Street star @peterash_85 as Abanazar,” the company wrote alongside the post which showed Peter in costume and seemingly filming content in front of a green screen. Peter himself then added: “Getting me evil on!” alongside a string of devil emojis.
