Coronation Street star Daniel Brocklebank has teased a special episode focused on his character Billy Mayhew organising a
memorable day for husband Paul Foreman. Paul has seen his motor neurone disease (MND) progress in recent episodes and now
requires round-the-clock care. In a new, sad development, Paul’s occupational therapist suggests he should no longer leave the flat as
sitting in his stairlift to go downstairs to exit has become too dangerous for him.
The couple are on a waiting list to get a ground floor apartment, but Billy knows Paul may end up being house-bound for this late stage of his illness. He intends to give his partner one more day filled with all of his favourite activities, with the soap airing an episode dedicated to the pair on Friday, July 26.
paul foreman, billy mayhew, coronation street
ITV
Related: 11 Coronation Street spoilers for next week
“He planned this day trip to surprise him so that Paul can have one last little adventure before they’re stuck in the apartment,” Brocklebank explained.
“I think he’s trying to keep everything as positive as possible, and trying to keep Paul as upbeat as possible, because we do have this sort of thing hanging over us the entire time where Paul potentially could, at any moment, say that he’s had enough and wants to end things,” he continued.
“Billy is a very positive person anyway on the outside, but on the inside he’s watching the man that he loves disappear before his eyes every day. It’s getting slightly worse. So of course, he’s absolutely heartbroken, but he’s doing his best to try and keep things as cheerful as possible.”
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
As both realise their time together is “precious”, Billy is determined to move past any disagreement between them and make Paul happy, with Brocklebank promising a heartwarming, bittersweet episode.
“You can’t get around the fact that Paul is living with late stages of MND,” he said. “So I think it is absolutely about them just trying to utilise any bit of joy, squeeze any last bit of joy out of any little moment that they can.”
billy mayhew, paul foreman, coronation street
ITV
Related: Coronation Street’s Mason Radcliffe attacked in return story
Speaking about what viewers should expect from the new Paul and Billy scenes, Brocklebank said it won’t just be all big gestures, but the episode will also highlight the power of appreciating the little things in life.
“The whole day is amazing and I really don’t want to spoil it by giving too much away,” the actor said.
“It was the most incredible and emotional episode to film. Not all of the day is big surprises or gestures. I think what Billy is realising, as I think most people should, in life, generally anyway, is that actually the small things are the biggest. You don’t need grand gestures or expensive gifts, it is in the detail, the little things that matter the most.”
Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
