The moment fans had been dreading arrived when Paul’s health took a turn for the worse before his death in the ITV soap

Coronation Street fans have demanded what ‘must’ happen in the wake of Peter Ash’s exit as Paul Foreman. The moment fans had been dreading arrived when Paul’s health took a turn for the worse.

During Monday night’s (September 9) edition of the ITV soap, there were tear-jerking scenes in as 17 months after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease Paul tragically died.

After months of watching his decline, Bernie Winter and Summer Spellman called for help as Paul struggled to breathe while Billy Mayhew was out desperately looking for his lost phone.

Back at the hospital, doctors informed Paul’s family there was nothing more they could do but make him comfortable. Soon after, Bernie, Summer and Paul’s sister Gemma Winter-Brown headed in to say their emotional goodbyes to Paul with Billy still trying to make it to the hospital in time.

But in a tragic turn of events, Billy didn’t make it to the hospital in time to fulfil his promise of being by Paul’s side when the time came, thinking he’d only managed to say he loved him one last time over the phone.

However, as viewers of the ITV soap know, Paul had already passed as Summer Spellman got Billy, who was running to the hospital after getting trapped in traffic in Frescho’s car park, on the phone. Paul’s mum Bernie encouraged Billy to say what he needed to Paul while Summer and Gemma watched on in tears.

Soon after, Billy arrived and was heartbroken to see a doctor confirming Paul was gone before bursting into the room and taking his husband in his arms for one last time.

Following the emotional scenes, Corrie fans flocked to social media to heap fans on the soap’s cast – particularly Peter – and demanded he be awarded for his portrayal of Paul.

@Normsi2 said: “Too sad #Corrie. Phenomenal acting all round. So wanted Billy to get there! Heartbreaking Paul ~ #PeterAsh must win awards in fact they all should. @itvcorrie. So emotional!” @airsqueen commented: “National Television Award incoming for @PeterAsh_85!! He’s so convincing in this role, it’s very difficult to watch. #Corrie #Paul.”

@DavidR17 shared: “@PeterAsh_85 is such an incredible actor and deserves all the awards!! Paul you will be missed #corrie #coronationstreet.” @suemetty echoed: “@PeterAsh_85 #Corrie wow! You deserve every award coming, Paul’s story from start to finish has been beautifully acted and written.”

@kv27xx shared: “There hasn’t been a scene of this whole storyline that hasn’t had me sobbing. The actor playing Paul deserves all the awards that are hopefully coming his way because wow #corrie.” @GinDeeDee added: “Goodbye Paul. Peter Ash to win the NTA award for Serial Drama Performance and the Inside Soap award for Best Actor for his outstanding performance throughout the MND storyline #Corrie #Paul #MND #NTAs #InsideSoap.”