An upcoming episode of Coronation Street will be dedicated entirely to Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) and Billy Mayhew’s (Daniel Brocklebank) storyline as they have one last day out making memories before Paul’s motor neurone disease stops him from leaving the flat completely.
Recently in the ITV soap, Paul fell out of the stairlift he’s been using that’s been able to get him from the flower shop flat and onto the cobbles. Sadly though, a new occupational therapist will tell Paul and Billy soon that Paul’s muscles have reached a stage where he cannot sit safely in the stairlift.
The couple are on a waiting list to move out of the flat and into a ground floor apartment but until this can happen, it will leave Paul confined to the four walls of his home.
Before Paul gets stuck in the flat full time, Billy tells him they’ll leave one last time tomorrow, and Paul can do whatever he wants.
‘Billy takes him back to the church where they got married, which is lovely, and they have a nice little moment there’, Daniel Brocklebank explained.
‘He’s also organised for some of Paul’s buddies to all meet at the Rovers for a drink. Obviously Paul can’t drink because he’s got a feeding tube. However David organises this funky little bit of machinery and you can make bubbles out of any liquid that tastes of the liquid. So obviously, having not been able to swallow anything at all for some time this is such a fun treat as David makes some beer bubbles for Paul so that he can actually taste the taste a bit.
I truly don’t want to ruin the fantastic day by disclosing too much. The entire day is incredible. It was the most amazing and poignant episode to shoot. Not every day is filled with grand gestures or surprises. Billy is probably realizing this already, as are most people, that the little things in life are often the biggest. Grand gestures and costly presents are not necessary; what matters most is the small things, the details.
The entire episode is centered around how important it is to create memories and to be present in the moment. Daniel thought, “Everything’s changing so quickly for them.”
Not only for Paul, but also for Billy. Since Paul’s health is deteriorating little by little, they must adjust to each new challenge and deal with it head-on. Since there is, of course, no avoiding it. There’s no denying that Paul has late-stage motor neuron disease (MND). Therefore, I believe that everything is just about them attempting to make the most of every moment and squeeze as much joy as they can out of it.
These are going to be heartwarming scenes, but they will also have a hint of melancholy. As viewers are aware, Paul had previously requested Billy’s assistance in taking his own life when the time came. Dan clarifies this with
‘Initially, obviously, it went against his entire moral and religious code, against everything he stands for, because in Billy’s mind life is life is given to us by God, and therefore is sacred and precious. But then obviously, he also understands Paul’s wishes.
He added: ‘Billy’s a very compassionate person, and despite it being the most brutal moment of his life, I think he’s made peace with it. With Billy, it’s more about when that time comes, if that time comes, he has to make sure that it really is the moment and Paul is making the right decision.
‘Billy will then be left with the consequences afterwards, and could potentially be left wondering, should I have tried harder to stop him or convince him that maybe next week is a better day, or the week after that, or the week after that, but I do think ultimately, has now made peace with Paul’s decision.’
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