Coronation Street star signs new contract to keep him on the cobbles for another year – and hints at new love interest
CORONATION Street favourite Daniel Brocklebank has singed onto the soap for another year.
The actor, who plays archdeacon Billy Mayhew on the ITV soap, has inked a new 12 month contract which will see his character grieve the loss of Paul Foreman.
Viewers know that the terminally ill Paul, portrayed by Peter Ash, will pass away following a devastating battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Daniel told Inside Soap magazine: “He’s losing the love of his life; it’s going to be difficult for him.
“I don’t know what they have in store for Billy over the next year, I’ve just signed a new contract that takes me until the following November.”
Daniel, 44, said he is keen for Billy to enjoy a steamy new romance as he comes to terms with his loss.
He added: “I did have a meeting with our new producer Kate Brooks last week and I said, ‘If she wants to bring in a hot 27-year-old window cleaner for Billy, it might be a stretch, but I’ll probably be able to do it’.”
Paul’s Coronation Street exit scenes have been revealed as his friends and family break down in tears at his funeral.
Paul is reportedly set to pass away in just a matter of weeks.
The cast were pictured on set filming the funeral episode on location at a church in Manchester.
Paul’s on-screen husband Billy was in attendance, with his foster daughter Summer Spellman, played by Harriett Bibby.
It appears that Billy will be leading the funeral service, as he was pictured dressed in his full vicar regalia.
Paul’s family were also present as mum Bernie (Jane Hazelgrove) and sister Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) looked devastated as they embraced each other.
Policeman Kit Green, who has only just been revealed as Paul’s long-lost brother, was also at the funeral.
Other castmates included Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin), Chesney Brown (Sam Aston), David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) and Aadi Alahan (Adam Hussain).
Despite the bleak storyline, the cast members were seen laughing and joking in between takes.
Talking about Paul’s final scenes, Daniel told Digital Spy: “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.
“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.”
In emotional scenes, Billy takes his husband out one last time to enjoy his favourite things, before he’s prevented from leaving the flat in the safety of his wheelchair.
The special episode gave viewers an insight into Paul’s thoughts and feelings as he is unable to voice them due to the devastating effects of MND.
Billy was left relieved after Paul changed his mind about ending his life that day, after spending time with his nephews and nieces.
Ahead of his exit, actor Peter Ash paid tribute to his on-screen partner Daniel Brocklebank while speaking at the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards.
Peter said: “Working with Daniel from day one has been amazing. We have so much fun.
“And yeah, obviously because he has a personal connection to MND, he’s a great source of information and insight.
“And I’ll very much miss working with him.”
Coronation Street's 2024 shock exits
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let’s break down who’s left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.