It’s not just Coronation Street fans who have been left battered and bruised by Aidan Connor’s heart-wrenching exit storyline…
Actor Shayne Ward’s fellow cast and crew members have also had to come to terms with losing a colleague – and have been paying tribute to Shayne after his last ever scenes were aired on Monday night (7 May).
Viewers watched in horror as Aidan Connor broke down and prepared to take his own life after secretly battling depression for months.
And, quite rightly, his former cast-mates came together to praise Shayne’s portrayal of Aidan – whose suicide is discovered by his dad in tonight’s episode (Wednesday 9 May).
https://www.instagram.com/p/BifS5aonpAW/?utm_source=ig_embed
Catherine Tyldesley shared a picture of former lovers Aidan and Eva, alongside the message: “Heartbreaking , phenomenal performance from @shaynetward tonight. Darling it’s been an absolute pleasure to work with you.
“Here’s hoping that the work that yourself and our wonderful #corrie team have put into this weeks episodes get people talking and help save lives. #itsoktotalk #mentalheathawareness help is there – and hope is ALWAYS in your heart – no matter how cloudy …”
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Meanwhile, Samia Longchambon tweeted: “Such a subtle and beautiful performance from @shayneTward tonight. @itvcorrie showing how heartbreaking this issue really is. If you or anyone you know is affected please talk to somebody.”
Such a subtle and beautiful performance from @shayneTward tonight. @itvcorrie showing how heartbreaking this issue really is. If you or anyone you know is affected please talk to somebody.. @theCALMzone @samaritans are there to help! 💔
— Samia Longchambon (@realsamia) May 7, 2018
Love you two together, sis. So beautifully played. @shayneTward you broke my heart. Xxx https://t.co/S6qGm91XBj
— Georgia Taylor (@RealGeorgiaT) May 7, 2018
Love you @shayneTward x
— Sally Ann Matthews (@SallyAnMatthews) May 7, 2018
Heartbreaking episodes of @itvcorrie tonight. Utterly beautiful performances from @shayneTward & @Cath_Tyldesley. #ItsOkToTalk #MentalHealthMatters
— Daniel Brocklebank (@Dan_Brocklebank) May 7, 2018
Stunning performances all round in tonight’s @itvcorrie. Everyone should be so proud of this storyline. @shayneTward Hats off to you mate.. you broke my heart 😢 (just like the guy off the xfactor did) xxx
— Bhavna Limbachia (@BhavnaLimbachia) May 7, 2018
Heartbreaking @itvcorrie … beautiful performances from our @shayneTward and @Cath_Tyldesley 💕
— Lucy Fallon (@lufallon) May 7, 2018
Georgia Taylor added: “Love you two together, sis. So beautifully played. @shayneTward you broke my heart. Xxx.”
In Aidan’s final scenes, he was alone and crying in his flat – scenes added after being suggested by Shayne himself.
Kate Oates recently revealed: “The final scene in which we see Aidan is entirely of Shayne’s creation. Originally we were just going to see Aidan at the pub with his family. Life’s going on around him and he’s just completely dis-engaged.
“But Shayne instinctively said: ‘That feels really wrong to me. I think I need another moment and Aidan needs it too.’ So we added a final scene of him breaking down at the flat. Now when I watch these episodes, they wouldn’t feel complete without it.”
Show bosses worked closely with the Samaritans on the storyline, in order to highlight the tragic statistic that 84 men kill themselves in Britain every week.
Coronation Street will air the aftermath of Aidan’s suicide in an hour long episode.
If you are struggling with depression or suicidal ideation, or are concerned for someone you know, call Samaritans for free on 116 123.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/what-speak-us-about/signs-you-may-be-struggling-cope
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