‘It’ll tip him over the edge’ reveals Coronation Street’s Daniel Brocklebank as he teases major crisis for Billy
CORONATION Street star Daniel Brocklebank has teased a ‘crisis’ for Billy Mayhew following husband Paul Foreman’s death.
Viewers saw Paul tragically pass away in Monday’s (September 9) episode, having battled motor neurone disease.
Now, actor Daniel has hinted his character’s story could be set for a dark turn after the sad scenes.
Speaking to The Sun and other press he addressed how far Billy could spiral in the aftermath of losing his husband.
Daniel revealed: “Hopefully not to the heroin extent!
“He did go off the rails a little bit, but hopefully not to shooting up in the aisle of a church extent as we saw it before.”
The star added: “Billy’s good in a crisis if it’s not his crisis.”
Fans were left devastated as a heartbreaking twist saw Billy not reach Paul’s bedside in time as he slipped away.
Having faced obstacles getting to the hospital, the vicar shared his final words over the phone instead.
He was unaware that Bernie (Jane Hazlegrove), in an act of kindness, chose not to reveal Paul had already died.
When asked about the potential impact of Billy discovering the truth, Daniel said: “I think it’s the only thing really that’s stopping him from tipping off the edge.
“He feels terribly guilty that he wasn’t there, and it’s the only thing really holding him together.
Paul’s MND storyline was first announced back in early 2023 – with the expectation it would end with his death.
Fans were left heartbroken last year after seeing Paul receive the devastating news.
The character’s final scenes saw mum Bernie, twin sister Gemma (Dolly-Rose Campbell) and Billy’s ward Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) gathered around to say their goodbyes.
Ahead of his exit airing, Peter Ash previously addressed how the emotional storyline had been handled.
Most devastating soap deaths
SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust.
Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.
EASTENDERS
Barry Evans – Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying.
Her plan to inherit Barry’s fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files.
Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was “fake”.
Bradley Branning – Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater’s rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died.
He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.
Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death.
CORONATION STREET
Tina McIntyre – Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow – despite him being married to Carla Connor.
When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla’s brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.
Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony – then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.
In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.
Molly Dobbs – Molly was one of the victims in Corrie’s 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold).
Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death.
This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth.
As fate would have it, Kevin’s wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly’s side in her final moments.
Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack’s father, before dying of her injuries.
Vera Duckworth – Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character.
Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap’s most beloved couples.
Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair.
Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey’s exit as Jack.
Paul Foreman – Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease.
Introduced in 2018 as David Platt’s (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance – and marriage – with vicar Billy Mayhew.
The MND storyline was announced in 2023 – with the expectation it would result in the character’s death.
EMMERDALE
Sarah Sugden – After the family got into financial problems, Sarah’s son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.
He didn’t realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.
Nine villagers – The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.
Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash.
Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died.
HOLLYOAKS
Carmel McQueen – The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family’s car.
Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble – but got stuck in it herself.
Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.
The actor said: “Despite it being so horrific, Corrie have managed to write in moments of levity and humour that you have in real life.
“You make light of the awful things you’re going through and the audience has responded to that, families living through a similar situation have picked out those little human moments or jokey lines.
“It’s made me realise we are getting this right.”
Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.