Corrie boss changes mind and agrees to actor’s heartbreaking request for Paul’s funeral

Coronation Street actor Daniel Brocklebank, who plays Billy Mayhew in the ITV soap, has shared a huge request he had for soap bosses over Paul Foreman’s funeral

A Corrie actor has spoken out about a last-minute change to a key storyline involving Paul Foreman’s funeral.

Paul, played by Peter Ash, tragically passed away in recent episodes following his struggle with MND (motor neurone disease), which viewers saw him diagnosed with after initial symptoms of losing his grip.

His condition quickly worsened, leading to speech and mobility issues, and eventually, Paul became confined to his flat, reliant on a wheelchair, neck support, and an Eyegaze machine for communication.

Billy Mayhew, portrayed by Daniel Brocklebank, took on the role of primary carer for his husband Paul. The emotional departure of Paul was screened on Monday (September 9), leaving fans heartbroken.

The show has already shot the funeral scenes, with set photos showing Weatherfield locals, including Kirk Sutherland (Andy Whyment) and David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd), paying their respects.

In a recent chat with Liverpool Echo among other media, Daniel Brocklebank disclosed that he had a significant request regarding the funeral that initially met with hesitation from the showrunners, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Daniel shared insights about his character Billy officiating at Paul’s funeral, saying: “He’s obviously nervous. I was really pleased the producers decided to do this.” He added that his suggestion was inspired by real-life vicars who conducted services for their own spouses, stating: “I read about a couple of vicars whose husbands or wives died and they conducted their own service.”

**Billy has shared the request he made about Paul’s funeral** (Image: (Image: ITV))

“And I asked When Ian MacLeod [Coronation Street’s boss] about that a year ago, and he was like ‘Oh I don’t know if we’re going to do that yet.’ And I said to him I would love it. Because I think you would if you had that capability, you would bury your loved one. So I was really pleased they decided to go down that route.”

Daniel continued: “But then you’re coming to the funeral from a two-pronged sort of position. You’re personally connected to it because it’s your husband that you’re burying, but then on the other side, you’re a vicar so you’re doing your job. And I think he’s worried that he’s not going to get through the service without breaking down, and feeling like he’s let Paul down.”

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX