Hayley's farewell

One of the most talked about storylines in Coronation Street history comes to a moving conclusion on Monday 20 January, when Hayley decides it is time to end her life.

With her devoted husband Roy at her side, Hayley prepares to bring her suffering to an end before the treatment for cancer renders her incapable of doing so.

Determined not to implicate Roy in her suicide, Hayley has planned everything and even his last minute pleas for her to change her mind do not soften her resolve.

Ever since Hayley told Roy of her plans to take her death into her own hands the nation has been divided by her decision and the storyline has also reignited the Right to Die debate. And in coming weeks the two sides of the debate will be shown on the soap as Roy struggles to deal with the fact that Hayley took her own life against his wishes. Fiz will also voice her dismay at the decision when she discovers the truth.

Coronation Street Producer Stuart Blackburn explained the decision to explore this difficult and controversial issue.

He said: “Hayley has been through such a lot in her life and is very concerned about losing control as the disease progresses.

“The palliative care Hayley receives is superb but she is scared and fears that pain relief could cause confusion and a loss of clarity. She feels taking control is the right thing for her to do.

“This is a very sensitive issue and we will be exploring the effects of her decision on husband Roy who has a huge emotional and moral dilemma over her choice to die this way.

“Not everyone will feel Hayley’s decision is the right one and we fully respect this, for that reason we will be exploring both sides of the debate on screen.”

Hayley’s final episodes will transmit on ITV at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Monday January 20th.

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Vote for Julie Hesmondhalgh (Hayley) and David Neilson (Roy) in the National Television Awards here.