Coronation Street actor Peter Ash has admitted that his character Paul's upcoming exit is "a double-edged sword".
In scenes to be shown next month, Paul - twin brother of Gemma (Dolly-Rose Campbell) - will learn the devastating news that he has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
The condition currently has no cure and is fatal, with those affected suffering a rapid deterioration of their motor skills and speech.
Talking about taking on the story - which will necessarily lead to him leaving the soap - Ash told press: "I was called into the producer's office late last year. They said 'we've got this very big storyline and it should be a great thing to do, but ultimately it does mean an eventual exit'.
"I have mixed feelings. I'll be sad to leave the show, it's been such an amazing job and I've met fantastic people, but also at the same time, I'm quite happy to be involved in such a powerful storyline that hopefully will bring awareness to MND. It's a double-edged sword."
The timeline for Ash's exit from the soap has not yet been confirmed, although he has suggested that the storyline may play out until at least well into the second half of the year.
"I've been eased into it obviously after just starting with his hand," he said. "I'm aware that as time goes on, and as the symptoms progress, it'll get a lot more technical.
"As the symptoms pile up, I'm going to be speaking a lot more with the MND Association to make sure we get it right. It's quite a journey.
"Let me say, we're going to portray a progression of Paul's illness."
Coronation Street continues Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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