After an unforgettable six-year run on Coronation Street, actor Peter Ash has stepped away from Weatherfield and into a new chapter of his career. 

Following his powerful portrayal of Paul Foreman’s heartbreaking battle with motor neurone disease (MND), Peter is now treading the boards in the crime thriller Picture You Dead.

Having recently turned 40, the actor admitted he was deeply moved by the opportunity to bring Paul’s tragic storyline to life, calling it the proudest work of his career. 

Though his time on Corrie has ended, Peter remains grateful for the role that earned him critical acclaim and prestigious awards.

Emotional Departure from Coronation Street

Peter’s portrayal of Paul Foreman was a journey filled with emotion and immense responsibility. 

After first appearing on Coronation Street in 2019, Paul quickly became a fan favorite. However, when writers introduced the devastating MND storyline, Peter knew his time on the soap was limited.

“When I first found out, it was a blur of emotions,” he shared. “I wasn’t looking to leave Corrie, but when they trusted me with such a big storyline, I felt incredibly privileged.”

Paul’s deterioration on screen was handled with great sensitivity, showing the heartbreaking progression of MND. His struggles began with difficulty gripping objects before the disease took a devastating toll on his mobility, speech, and ability to breathe.

“The hardest part was portraying the physical decline,” Peter admitted. “You don’t want to misrepresent the reality of the condition, so I really had to ensure it was done properly.”

His commitment to the role didn’t go unnoticed. Peter’s performance won him the National Television Award for Serial Drama Performance and the Best Actor award at the Inside Soap Awards, accolades he describes as an honor.

From Soap Star to Stage Actor

Following his exit from Coronation Street, Peter quickly transitioned back to the stage. He recently performed in pantomime but has now embarked on a more serious acting challenge in Picture You Dead, a stage adaptation of the best-selling novel by Peter James.

The thriller, which runs for five days at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal in March, plunges Detective Superintendent Roy Grace into the dark world of art forgery, deception, and murder. Peter plays David Hegarty, an art copyist who becomes entangled in a dangerous scheme.

“The play revolves around a couple who believe they’ve found an original masterpiece worth millions,” he explained. “My character agrees to create a copy so they can store the real painting safely and hang the replica on their wall.”

Peter was surprised to learn that this is a common practice among art collectors. “I had no idea people actually did this, but it’s fascinating,” he said.

Excited for New Challenges

Starring alongside former Emmerdale actress Fiona Wade and Casualty star George Rainsford, Peter is eager to explore new roles outside of the soap world.

“Doing theatre again feels great,” he said. “I started acting in local amateur dramatics and school plays, and I had a teacher who really inspired me to pursue it as a career.”

While he’s open to different genres, Peter is particularly intrigued by the idea of performing in a ghost story. “Fiona was telling me about 2:22 A Ghost Story, and it sounds like something I’d love to try. I’ve never done a spooky play before.”

Comedy, on the other hand, isn’t his strong suit, though he enjoys it. “I wouldn’t call myself a natural comedian,” he laughed. “And I don’t think I’ll be leading a musical anytime soon—though I did sing Elvis Presley’s Trouble in panto.”

Reflecting on His Time in Weatherfield

Despite moving on, Peter still keeps up with Coronation Street now and then to see how things are unfolding. “I do miss working there,” he admitted. “There’s a real family feel on Corrie.”

His departure was emotional, but he made a brief return in one episode as Paul’s ghost. “You never know,” he teased. “Maybe Bernie will discover another long-lost son.”

For now, Peter is fully focused on his stage career, with Picture You Dead set to thrill audiences in Nottingham from March 11 to 15. With his passion for storytelling and willingness to take on challenging roles, fans can expect to see much more of Peter Ash in the years to come.

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