Peter Ash has waved an emotional goodbye to Coronation Street fans

after his on-screen alter ego Paul Foreman passed away on-screen.

Fans of the ITV soap have been left devastated by Paul’s death after the builder failed

to have a proper goodbye with his husband Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank), who had been on the hunt for his phone, lost during a night out with David Platt.

Paul succumbed to complications related to his motor neurone disease, which he was diagnosed with last year, with his mother Bernie (Jane Hazlegrove) and sister Gemma (Dolly-Rose Campbell) by his side.

Moments after his exit was aired, Peter Ash waved viewers goodbye in a video shared on Coronation Street’s official X account, appearing on the set of the Manchester-based programme.

Coronation Street’s Peter Ash has addressed a final message to soap fans

Peter first thanked soap viewers for their loyalty: “Hello everyone! It’s Pete Ash here. So, my time on Corrie has come to an end. So I just want to say, thank you to everyone for the support you’ve given me over the years with the storylines I’ve done. I really appreciate it. You know, we’d be nothing without our fans, so thank you very much.”

He then added: “I have had the time of my life filming Corrie. I’m going to miss everyone, but I’m excited to see what’s next. So, from the bottom of my heart, I just want to say thank you to everyone for watching over the years.

Apollo “Paul” Foreman first appeared on the cobbles in May 2018, and was a soap regular ever since, getting embroiled in drama-packed storylines throughout the years, including a love triangle with Todd Grimshaw and Billy. He was initially introduced as David Platt’s new cellmate and immediately caused trouble upon his first arrival on the Street, but viewers quickly learned to love him,.

Speaking about his final scenes, Peter Ash said: “It was absolutely emotional. It was very hard not to reach when they’re saying their goodbyes and I’m pretending to be on the way out.” And after a well-deserved break, he is due to head back to work for his new acting gig.

“I’m doing panto and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m doing Aladdin [at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in Oldham] and I’m the bad guy. That will be great fun, such a change from this. But right now, I’m enjoying a bit of time off and the lie-ins.” Peter will perform at the Queen Elizabeth Hall from December 14, 2024, to January 4, 2025.