In this captivating narrative, we follow Ash’s journey from the humble beginnings of Oldham Theatre Workshop to the glamorous world of Hollywood-like TV shows. His tale is one of determination, chance encounters, and the wisdom of listening to those who inspire us.
Witnessing the heartbreaking progression of Paul Foreman’s battle with Motor Neurone Disease was already distressing, but what Coronation Street portrayed – Billy Mayhew missing Paul’s final moments – has deeply saddened many viewers across the nation.
On Monday, September 9th, courageous Paul drew his final breath as Motor Neuron Disease claimed him, sadly leaving Billy absent as he was out searching for his misplaced phone, which he had lost the previous night. Viewers who have followed and empathized with the tender love story of this couple during the past few years may feel disappointed, but it is an essential aspect of depicting the harsh reality of how such a cruel disease strips families of their loved ones.
In this ongoing narrative, the conclusion hasn’t shied away from evoking deep emotions, consistently doing so throughout its development. A man named Paul, who was full of life and vigor in his early thirties, possessing a promising future, was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) 18 months ago. This relentless condition targets the system responsible for muscle function, significantly impacting speech, mobility, and respiration.
Drawing inspiration from the heart-wrenching real-life tale of the late rugby star Rob Burrow, who tragically passed away at 41 due to Motor Neuron Disease in June, Corrie has shed light on a seldom-portrayed disease within continuing dramas. They’ve skillfully utilized the format to depict Paul’s deterioration progressively over time. As audiences were touched by the love and support shown by Burrow’s wife Lindsey and family, Paul found himself enveloped in a caring network, with Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove), his errant mother, standing by him during his final moments.
Ash remarks, “I’m pleased Bernie was there with him.” He finds it heartwarming that Paul and Bernie managed to reconcile their past issues, finding peace before Paul parted ways with Billy. Although Paul missed his last moment with Billy, we were touched by the touching farewells from Bernie, Summer, Paul’s foster daughter, and his twin sister Gemma. Despite the fact that Paul was unable to speak at that point, it was difficult not to be moved by such a powerful emotional scene.
After Paul left, it seems like tensions could increase between Billy and Bernie, as the speaker conjectures. They share a deep bond but often have disagreements because they have distinct personalities. Paul served as a mediator, maintaining harmony; his absence might exacerbate their differences. Now, Billy is responsible for managing Paul’s family members, including Bernie, Gemma, and the quadruplets. It seems like he has taken on quite a challenge!
2024 saw Ash find himself right in the thick of one of soap’s most significant plots – a turn of events that wasn’t initially expected when he joined the cast in 2018. At first, his role was intended to be minor, limited to just a few episodes where he played David Platt’s cellmate, who had been imprisoned for assault. However, producers were so pleased with Ash’s performance that they brought his character onto the show permanently six months later, catching him off guard as this was not something he had anticipated.
As a movie enthusiast, let me share my unexpected journey with a recent series. Initially, I expected a brief three-episode stint, but boy, was I proven wrong! The protagonist, a tad mischievous and charming, found himself in the unenviable position of being incarcerated. I assumed that would be the end of his story, but oh, how I was mistaken!
Initially brought in as temporary characters, Ash’s compelling portrayal of a rough-around-the-edges yet compassionate character with hints of quirks was recognized by Corrie. This performance, which later unfolded into a complex backstory, showcased his short-tempered tough guy persona balanced with a soft heart and a touch of peculiarity.
Apollo and Gemini, known by their full names, were born to unconventional mother Bernadine, a bohemian spirit who remained youthful at heart and found parenthood challenging. This led to Paul, one of the siblings, often having to take care of himself during their childhood due to Bernadine’s struggles. Unfortunately, this period left him vulnerable to abuse from one of her partners during his teenage years. It took a considerable amount of time for the family to come to terms with their past traumas, but eventually, as Bernie pledged never to disappoint them again, they started healing.
In a surprising turn of events, they suggested I return as a permanent cast member, introduced as Gemma’s twin and Billy’s new romantic interest. This was followed by Paul’s release from prison, who then arrived on the street seeking his old friend David. Incidentally, it was due to David Platt’s law-breaking actions that I found myself here!
Ever since I was young, I’ve been captivated by the world of cinema. And just like countless other Northern performers, the chance to act on Corrie has been a dream of mine – a goal that I’ve worked tirelessly towards.
From my childhood memories, I’d stay up in my pajamas to watch it, and once the theme music played, that signaled bedtime. This was during the late ’80s and early ’90s when Reg Holdsworth, Curly, Raquel, and Sarah Lancashire were part of the cast. For anyone from the North, particularly Mancunians, Coronation Street is considered a coveted acting opportunity. I’m still in awe that I’ve been there for six years, especially since I initially thought it was just a few episodes.
Raised on the periphery of Manchester, Ash developed an early passion for acting. His initial experience on stage was as a rat in a pantomime production of Dick Whittington at his local community theater group. “It was such a blast when I was around four or five years old! I gradually moved up to perform in annual shows and landed slightly larger roles.
It wasn’t until high school that I began to consider acting as a potential career, thanks to an inspiring drama teacher who ignited my passion. From that moment, the idea of pursuing it started to seem feasible. For a short time, I attended Oldham Theatre Workshop, where many future Coronation Street actors have honed their skills.
After completing college, I secured an agent and began auditioning. At 18, I was on the verge of attending the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. One of my early auditions, likely my third or fourth, was for Footballers’ Wives, and they offered me the role – I was unsure whether to accept the job or go to drama school. I contacted the school, and they graciously advised me to take the job since that’s what it’s all about, so I did.
In 2003, Ash’s debut professional role was on a well-known television series, portraying the character Darius Fry, a rising soccer star, on ITV’s popular soap opera that combined elements of guilt and pleasure. He worked there for three years, effectively using Footballers’ Wives as his alternative to drama school for training.
He reminisces about it as a valuable learning opportunity. Being immersed in that chaotic setting and working on a genuine set, he witnessed the entire process unfold. It was an incredible cast, from Gary Lucy and Zoe Lucker to Ben Price portraying Conrad Gates, who later became Nick Tilsley on Corrie. Interestingly enough, Ben and I have known each other for quite some time, but our collaboration on the show was surprisingly minimal. However, we did get to share a dressing room!
I’ve come to realize that my experience portraying Corrie went beyond just acting a role. Being acutely conscious of the weighty responsibility associated with tackling such a challenging subject has led me to immerse myself in the MND community and actively collaborate with charities and support groups. This involvement was not only essential for my personal growth, but also shared by my co-star Daniel Brocklebank, who plays Billy, as it resonated deeply with both of us.
As someone who has a deeply personal connection to Motor Neuron Disease (MND), having witnessed its impact on my grandfather, I was touched when Dan invited me to a fundraiser for this cause early in our collaboration. This encounter introduced me to some truly remarkable individuals, and it sparked a commitment within me to participate in as many fundraisers as possible. I am honored to be a patron of the Mel Evans Foundation, an honor bestowed upon me by Lynne, Dan’s partner. The unwavering support and camaraderie within this community have left an indelible mark on me. They’ve won my heart, and I can confidently say that I am now part of their everlasting journey.
Despite being a tough 18-month journey, Ash humbly shuns accolades for the hardships endured during the storytelling process as Paul’s condition worsened. Acknowledging he could separate himself from work after a day’s shoot, he emphasizes that this is a luxury many living with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) do not have, as it’s their constant reality. Though losing Paul feels like losing a friend, Ash acknowledges there will be a time for grieving, not just for the character, but also for the past six years shared together.
Following a well-deserved break, and a return to his theatrical origins in Oldham over the holidays, Ash is ready for any new prospects that may arise. He’s keeping an open mind about another soap opera, particularly if it involves a familial connection…
“My cousin Will Ash plays Caleb on Emmerdale, and I’ve never actually done a job with him yet which is bizarre. Every actor I meet seems to have worked with him because he’s done so much. And Emmerdale is a cracking show, it’s like Corrie’s sister programme isn’t it? Maybe I could play a long-lost relative of Caleb’s – never say never!”
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2024-09-09 23:35