{"id":54446,"date":"2024-07-06T09:00:57","date_gmt":"2024-07-06T07:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2066944"},"modified":"2024-07-07T00:58:25","modified_gmt":"2024-07-06T22:58:25","slug":"coronation-streets-peter-ash-on-how-rob-burrow-inspired-pauls-heartbreaking-mnd-storyline","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/coronation-streets-peter-ash-on-how-rob-burrow-inspired-pauls-heartbreaking-mnd-storyline\/","title":{"rendered":"Coronation Street\u2019s Peter Ash on how Rob Burrow inspired Paul\u2019s heartbreaking MND storyline"},"content":{"rendered":"

The star exclusively reveals all on being nominated in the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024. <\/p>

By Johnathon Hughes\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 06 July 2024 at 07:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Coronation Street\u2019s Paul Foreman was diagnosed with motor neurone disease just over a year ago, beginning a moving, emotional storyline that has seen the character and his loved ones struggle with the reality of his deteriorating health.<\/p>\n

An unflinching performance as Paul from Peter Ash has earned him a best actor nomination at the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024<\/strong> sponsored by Inspired Villages<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In an exclusive interview, the Corrie star discusses the heartbreaking MND storyline and how the real-life story of the late rugby hero Rob Burrow inspired him.<\/p>\n

How does it feel to be nominated for such a big storyline?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It\u2019s very flattering. I\u2019m not knocking it! To be involved in this story and raise awareness for a great cause feels like is a massive privilege, MND is such a horrible disease and obviously very much in the public conscience because of Rob Burrow\u2019s recent passing.<\/p>\n

Did you get to meet Rob?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Yes, him and his wife Lindsey came to the Corrie studios last year. It was amazing to meet the guy, sad to see by that point the condition had taken so much from him, but they were both really glad we were doing the storyline. We were made up with that. They came in at lunchtime and I remember the scenes we filmed that afternoon felt all the more poignant after meeting Rob and Lindsey.<\/p>\n

Have you researched MND for the role?<\/h4>\n

Absolutely, yes, I knew next to nothing about it before starting and did a lot of reading up on it. Right away the guys at Corrie put me in touch with the MND Association, who have been an amazing help.<\/p>\n

\"Paul\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Coronation Street.<\/span><\/figcaption> ITV<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

What\u2019s been your most challenging moment in the last year?<\/h4>\n

I guess when Billy agreed to help Paul end his life when the time comes, that was heartbreaking to film, but beautifully written. Billy and Paul have had their ups and downs as a couple but come out stronger. Out of this horrible situation they\u2019ve developed this amazing strength and bond.<\/p>\n

Are you pleased Billy has stepped up for Paul?<\/h4>\n

I\u2019m glad we\u2019re showing how this affects those caring for Paul, and seen how it\u2019s taken its toll on Billy because that\u2019s what it\u2019s like. Paul was quite a loner until he met Billy, he grew up close to Gemma then went awol for a bit and only reconnected with his family since coming to the street. It\u2019s a horrible situation but Paul is surrounded by people that love him.<\/p>\n

Apart from Billy, who has been the most important person in Paul\u2019s life?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It\u2019s a close tie between Bernie and Gemma, but I\u2019d possibly say Bernie just because there was more to make up from with her. There was the resentment of his mum abandoning him as a child, Paul and Gemma wanted nothing to do with Bernie when she first came back into their lives. Even now they\u2019re arguing because she lied about her other son, Kit. But Bernie has stepped up and I\u2019ve had some beautiful scenes with Jane Hazlegrove, who plays her.<\/p>\n

How did you feel about the twist Paul has a long-lost brother?<\/h4>\n

It\u2019s pretty believable with Bernie\u2019s past, there\u2019s probably other little Bernies out there! For Paul it was a massive shock, he was angry at his mum for hiding Kit and how much time they\u2019ve wasted when they could\u2019ve got to know him. I think in the end, Paul will understand the circumstances around it all. Jacob Roberts is a great addition to the show as Kit.<\/p>\n

What do you like about playing Paul, and what frustrates you?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

I guess his short temper frustrates me, he is very quick to anger. We can all be like that though! I love the fact he\u2019s got a heart underneath all that front he puts up, that has really come out since he came to the street. It\u2019s softened him in the best way. There\u2019s a lot of layers with Paul, he\u2019s not perfect but then no one is!<\/p>\n

Has it been tough filming so many heavy scenes?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Despite it being so horrific, Corrie have managed to write in moments of levity and humour that you have in real life. You make light of the awful things you\u2019re going through and the audience has responded to that, families living through a similar situation have picked out those little human moments or jokey lines. It\u2019s made me realise we are getting this right.<\/p>\n

Which of your co-stars do you think deserves an award this year?<\/h4>\n

I\u2019d have to say Daniel Brocklebank (who plays Billy). The storyline is so personal for him because his grandfather passed from MND. My character is in the thick of the storyline but what he\u2019s doing as Billy is fantastic, and he deserves just as much as credit. He\u2019ll owe me a beer for saying that!<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n