Coronation Street star Peter Ash scooped the Serial Drama Performance award at the 2024 National Television Awards on Wednesday, after Paul Foreman’s tragic death

Peter Ash sweetly praised his co-stars as he scooped an award at the 2024 NTAs on Wednesday night, in a huge week for the Coronation Street actor.

Just two days on from his beloved Corrie character Paul Foreman dying in devastating scenes on Monday 9 September, actor Peter won the award for Serial Drama Performance. Nominees included Angela Wynter (EastEnders), his Corrie co-star David Neilson, Diane Parish (EastEnders), Eden Taylor-Draper (Emmerdale) and Peter.

As the result came in Peter was announced to have won the award amid his devastating storyline. His character Paul had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year, and after deteriorating he sadly passed away this week.

As Peter made it to the stage to accept his award, he was given a standing ovation by the whole audience leaving him moved. Speaking to the crowd, Peter thanked the MND community and the MND Association, as he dedicated his award to them.

He then took the moment to thank his loved ones and his Corrie colleagues, before paying special mention to his onscreen loved ones. Peter made a sweet four-word comment to his tearful pals, as he credited them for helping him with the storyline saying: “I love you all so much.”

Peter Ash bowed out as Paul Foreman on Coronation Street this week (Image: ITV)

He said of his win: “This is incredible, thank you so much everyone who voted, I mean that from the bottom of my heart. What an amazing way to end my six years on Coronation Street.”

He added: “A massive thanks to the MND Association who helped us with this storyline form day one, and have been there making sure we get this right and portray it well. Please do support them if you can, they do amazing work. One day we need to find a cure.”

He then paid special mention to his close co-stars including onscreen husband Daniel Brocklebank. He said: “To my amazing Corrie colleagues I love you all so much. The biggest thank you to Daniel Brocklebank, I love you mate.

“I couldn’t have wished for anyone better to have done this storyline with. A true friend for life I’ve made with you Dan.” It comes as Coronation Street fans were left in tears on Monday night as the long-running soap aired the end of his impactful MND storyline. Paul took his final breath while his husband Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) frantically tried to reach him after losing his mobile phone during a night out with David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd).

Peter took the moment to thank his loved ones and his Corrie colleagues (Image: ITV)

Tragically, Billy didn’t get the chance to say a proper farewell to his soulmate. Paul’s storyline has received critical acclaim, winning Best Storyline at the 2024 Radio Times Soap Awards. However, some viewers have found the powerful scenes difficult to watch. Opening up about the demanding nature of his recent storyline, actor Peter remarked: “With a storyline like that there’s a lot of pressure to get it right.

“Obviously you don’t want to misrepresent it or anything, so there is a lot of research being done. It’s tough and it’s been such a heavy storyline, but it feels good knowing we’re getting it right.” He then expressed his gratitude toward the feedback received: “The response to it has been amazing from people living with MND themselves, and also their families responding to it, so it’s been amazing in that regard.”

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X.