Fans have shared their first ‘hope’ for Billy in the wake of Pauls death while questioning a ‘missing’ character as his life came to an end

Coronation Street fans have identified their first ‘hope’ for Billy Mayhew in the wake of Paul Foreman’s death as they questioned a ‘missing’ character as his life came to an end.

There were heartbreaking scenes in the ITV soap on Monday night (September 9) as 17 months after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease Paul, played by Peter Ash, tragically died.

Billy, played by Daniel Brocklebank, was unaware that his husband was slipping away after a drunken night out led to him losing his phone and going on a mission to find it – and the memories contained on it – when his husband’s health took a turn for the worse.

It was Bernie Winter and Summer Spellman who were with Paul when he started struggling to breathe, leading to the pair calling for an ambulance while Billy was out desperately looking for his lost phone with the help of David Platt.

Back at the hospital, Bernie, Summer and Paul’s sister Gemma Winter-Brown were told by doctors there was nothing more they could do and they headed in to say their emotional goodbyes to Paul, while Billy was still trying to make it to the hospital in time.

But in a tragic turn of events, Billy didn’t make it to the hospital in time to fulfil his promise of being by Paul’s side when the time came, thinking he’d only managed to say he loved him one last time over the phone.

However, as viewers saw, Paul had already passed as Summer Spellman got Billy, who was running to the hospital after getting trapped in traffic in Frescho’s car park, on the phone. Paul’s mum Bernie encouraged Billy to say what he needed to Paul while Summer and Gemma watched on with devastation.

Following the episode, fans were left sharing their heartbreak over Paul’s exit but some also found themselves talking about Billy and David’s friendship, which they hope will continue in the wake of Paul’s death.

@mikepriestley13 said: “I do hope they keep Billy and David’s friendship after Paul’s passing. Some good scenes between them. #Corrie.” @PickeringMaz replied: “Yeh agree brilliant works well.” @NatalieCox101 agreed: “Yeah as it’s a shame we didn’t see more of Paul and Dee Dee. I liked their friendship.

@WhoPotterVian added: “I hope Billy and David’s friendship will be explored further beyond Paul’s exit. Those two being friends could be interesting, given how Billy is a vicar and David has always had a more roguish edge to him, similar to Todd. #Corrie.”

And speaking of Todd, some wondered where he was and why he wasn’t called to say his goodbyes to Paul. @spartacus2963 asked: “Where’s Todd…?” @DionPetrie commented: “I thought Todd would be there #Corrie.” @SmilieFlorida added: “@itvcorrie #Corrie why did no one call Todd ???? why wasn’t Dev there to support Bernie ??? Surely Summer