Corrie’s Julie Hesmondhalgh talks ‘right-to-die’ plot

September 24, 2013

Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh has spoken about Hayley Cropper’s terminal cancer storyline and how her character will venture into the ‘right to die’ debate.

Over 9 million viewers have been following Hayley’s battle with incurable pancreatic cancer and the emotional effect its having on not only herself but husband Roy. (David Neilson)

ITV Granada storyliners decided to ‘kill off’ the character with an emotional storyline following the actresses decision to quit the saga after fifteen years.

The Mirror reports that ‘harrowing scenes’ will air in early 2014 which shows the popular Weatherfield resident take her own life.

It’s a very complicated issue. Everybody feels that if they got a terminal disease they’d want to be shot but obviously there are massive ethical issues around that, and it’s easy to exploit older people. It is very delicate. – Hesmondhalgh quoted in The Mirror

It is currently against the law to encourage or assist a suicide. However with many suffering daily the ‘right to die’ has regularly in recent times found itself being discussed in newspapers with attempts to overturn the law making the news. Coronation Street will show how Hayley decides that she has had enough of the pain and wants to bring the suffering to a close.

Maybe we need to sign something now, when we are fit and healthy, rather than when we’re old but even then it’s complex. When is the right time? I want to be able to say my goodbyes properly, so I think it’s something that needs to be talked about. – Hesmondhalgh

The actress noted that she is in support of the law being changed, but admitted it would be a ‘very long and very complex road.’ Adding once more that she found it a ‘privilege’ to be bringing the story to ITV screens.