Coronation Street confronted the reality of male suicide in its latest storyline.
Aidan Connor died by suicide on the soap this week. The discovery of his body happened off-camera last night, with viewers hearing his father Johnny break down after coming across his son’s suicide note.
It read: ‘Don’t go into the bathroom – call the police.’
After finding his son’s body, Johnny refused to leave Aidan by himself.
But as they began to take him away, Johnny asked to say one last goodbye to his son.
“Do you mind?” he asked. Looking down, Johnny cried and placed a hand on the cover over Aidan’s body.
The show has been praised for its treatment of the issue, a similar reaction to David Platt’s rape story arc.
Helen Worth has broke my heart. Beautiful. #corrie
— Lewis (@lewispringle) May 9, 2018
I have never been moved to tears by a soap before; @itvcorrie tonight you will have changed lives. The reactions, the raw emotion, the monologue – so powerful. Thank you for raising awareness in tackling an incredibly difficult subject #ItsOkNotToBeOk #MentalHealthMatters #Corrie
— Kate (@ElektraGalore) May 9, 2018
@itvcorrie big well done to all involved. So well acted, and beautifully written. If it helps one person tonight talk about their feelings then that would be amazing #Corrie #YouAreNotAlone
— Ellie Mental 🏴 (@elliemental2011) May 9, 2018
Profound and beautifully done 😢 #Corrie
— Tris Morris (@TheMorrisLand) May 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/ukcynicalchild/status/994293358171484160
Shayne Ward, who played Aidan, has admitted that the storyline was a tough one to handle but said there’s been a strong reaction to it.
“I knew when I took it on that it was more than just a storyline,” he told The Sun.
“A lot of people who are considering attempting suicide have got in touch to say, ‘I’m calling somebody now. I was attempting it and you’ve helped me’.
“The response has been truly overwhelming.”
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