BBC Breakfast presenters Sally Nugent and Ben Thompson chatted on Monday with Coronation Street actors Peter Ash and Daniel Brocklebank ahead of their powerful upcoming storyline. In the renowned ITV soap, viewers have watched as Peter's character, Paul Winter, has seen his health worsen following an MND diagnosis. Coronation Street recently announced that this week will feature a special episode entirely dedicated to portraying a day in the life of someone living with MND.
The poignant episode is devoted to the memory of Rugby League star Rob Burrow, whose father Geoff shared a statement on the matter. Sally relayed Geoff's thoughts to the soap actors, reading his statement praising the show's handling of the disease. He said: "For Coronation Street to run a storyline about MND must have been a hard decision, but they have tackled this horrible disease with a very balanced storyline that reflects the struggles that the MNC suffered and their loved ones are going through.
", reports the Express . "As a family we pray that this episode will be watched by millions and continues to raise awareness of this most heartbreaking of diseases. Thank you Coronation Street.
" Visibly moved by Geoff's sentiments, Peter described the statement as "amazing" while Daniel underscored his own hopes for widespread viewership of the significant episode. He remarked: "Like Pete said when we started this story, he didn't know much about MND and I think, certainly with everything that Rob's managed to achieve, teamed with our storyline, in the last two years I've seen more awareness for MND than I've ever seen in the two decades that I've been working alongside the MND association." The actor then shared some shocking figures, revealing to the BBC presenters that six people are diagnosed with the disease every day.
Discussing the highly anticipated episode, producer Verity MacLeod commented: "Paul's MND has been such an important, powerful story and this episode is one of the real pinnacle moments in Paul's journey." She added: "Coronation Street has never done anything like this before, it is extraordinary, heartbreaking, funny and beautiful. Must see television at its best!" Detailing the character's condition, she explained: "One thing we were keen to show in this episode is that due to motor neurone disease, Paul's speech has now deteriorated to the point where he is unable to speak to his loved ones unaided by technology , which while brilliant, can be slow and restrictive.
" "However, Paul's brain is still completely active, his personality hasn't changed. He still has a wicked sense of humour and is the quick-witted cheeky chappy we first met in 2018." The episode which will air at 8pm on Friday July 26 on ITV BBC Breakfast continues weekdays on BBC One from 6am.
