03 April 2023 , 20:42
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Rugby League legend Rob Burrow has visited the set of Coronation Street to talk to the stars at the centre of a storyline about motor neurone disease.
Rob, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019, and his wife Lindsey, were joined by Peter Ash, who plays Paul Foreman, and Daniel Brocklebank, who plays his partner Billy Mayhew.
Viewers will tomorrow see Paul given the devastating news he has MND.
Rob, 40, who played for Great Britain, England and Leeds Rhinos, told the actors: “Thanks for the invite to come to the best soap on TV. I’m so happy to be here with my family. I’m blown away from the response I have had, but Coronation Street will have the awareness on a whole new level.
Rob and wife Lindsay with Corrie's Peter Ash and Daniel Brocklebank (ITV)“On behalf of the MND community, a big difference will be made.”
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Lindsey, 40, said bringing the “reality” of MND into people’s living rooms would “have a massive effect”.
Scriptwriters on the soap have worked with the MND Association on the storyline. Actor Daniel, 43, nursed his grandfather through the disease and is an ambassador for the charity.
Rob praised Corrie for helping to raise awareness of motor neurone disease (ITV)He said: “I’m hoping that I might be able to bring some of my personal experience into the storyline. I won’t have any trouble accessing emotion to play it.”
As part of his research, Peter, 38, read Rob’s book and watched a TV documentary about his struggle.
He said: “I knew very little about MND before and I am hugely grateful to the MND Association for all their help and support.
Former Rugby League star Rob was diagnosed with MND in 2019 (PA)“For any actor playing a role which examines a real-life issue or condition there comes a huge sense of responsibility and we are aware that some people watching this storyline are experiencing it in reality, it is their life.
"We hope Paul’s journey can make people more aware of the symptoms and what it is like to live with MND.”
MND Association director Chris James said: “We are really grateful to the team at Coronation Street. Putting MND in front of millions of viewers every week will raise incredible awareness and help to educate people.”