14 November 2023 , 10:10
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Daniel Brocklebank shared touching details about his "incredibly emotional" scenes as his character's exit approaches on Coronation Street.
ITV viewers watched as the Billy Mayhew actor's on-screen partner Paul Foreman, played by Peter Ash, was diagnosed with MND. His health has been deteriorating over the past few months and with his life expectancy now significantly reduced, he's resolved to spend his final months surrounded by his loved ones and living life to the fullest.
This included marrying his partner Billy in a ceremony at the Bistro in front of their friends and family. Daniel has now broken his silence on the scenes surrounding Billy and Paul's wedding. Although Billy originally thought their big day was happening at the Bistro, his new husband had a big surprise in store.
Paul and Billy tied the knot twice in two ceremonies (Danielle Baguley / ITV)After finding a vicar to marry them, Paul organised a secret ceremony at Billy's church, which didn't go down too well with everyone. Reflecting on the wedding scenes, Daniel said: "It was a beautiful moment, I've been in Corrie for the best part of a decade.
He told Express.co.uk: "I have stood at the front of that church, watching people walk down that aisle towards me as I've done the services for their weddings throughout the time I've been here. To suddenly be the person walking down that aisle, it was incredibly emotional actually. I mean Billy's emotional anyway, the scenes are beautifully written."
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The storyline about Paul's MND is deeply personal for Daniel, as his grandfather tragically died from the disease. He confessed that some scenes with Paul bring back memories of his family's experience. Daniel shared: "My Monday to Friday can be quite an emotional rollercoaster."
"Luckily Pete and I get on like a house on fire and we have a lot of giggles and we do try to find as many light moments in scenes, even if they are tragic, just to try and keep it as buoyant as possible. If you are somebody living with MND or any terminal illness there are still going to be moments in your life that are colourful and bright, it's not all doom and gloom."
It's rumoured that Peter will leave the soap later this year in heart-wrenching scenes as Paul's condition worsens. Daniel is a well-known face on our screens, most recently playing the role of Billy on Coronation Street since 2014.
He has had quite the career, appearing on multiple popular shows, but for the last nine years he has stuck to the cobbles. He has had his fair share of dramatic storylines on the programme and it seems this won't be changing any time soon.
Speaking previously about the scenes, Daniel told Metro: "It’s the first-ever gay wedding that Corrie has had, I think they’ve had three failed lesbian weddings, and it’s going to be beautiful, that’s what I’ll tell you! As with Corrie, there’s always a good balance of comedy and drama, so you’re definitely going to see a bit of both."