After months of speculation Coronation Street have confirmed how Shayne Ward's character Aidan Connor will be leaving the popular soap after three years.
WARNING THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS
In a statement to the press ITV said, "Coronation Street is to highlight the important issue of male suicide when Aidan Connor tragically takes his own life."
The statement went on to explain what would happen in the scenes which will air next week. According to ITV, Johnny Connor will find his son's body in his flat after he fails to turn up to work.
As the family struggle to come to terms with what has happened, they begin to question why they hadn’t spotted any signs that he was struggling to cope with life.
The last day that Shayne's character Aidan will appear on screen is on the 7th May, whilst the discovery of his body by his dad, takes place in an hour-long special two days later.
ITV have said they worked closely with two charities, Samaritans and CALM, to "ensure the storyline is handled sensitively and realistically" and "No element of the suicide will be shown on screen".
Last year it was revealed that former X Factor winner Shayne Ward would be leaving Coronation Street, but until now his storyline has been kept under wraps.
However earlier this month Shayne hinted at the storyline during an interview on Lorraine saying, “Look at what Aidan has been through – he’s always been a troubled soul, he’s always been trying to prove himself to his dad and to his family but things just keep going wrong for him. His relationship didn’t go the way he wanted it to – he did cheat but he did come clean. There is love with Aidan but there is something obviously underlying…"
In a statement to the press Shayne also said, "I am honoured to have been trusted with a storyline like this, it shows the confidence that Kate and the team had in me to be able to play it. When you get given a storyline like this it is a decision that is not taken lightly, I have played it with as much honesty and truth as I could. I am very proud of what I have done in my three years on the show and on this storyline in particular.
“Aidan is an ‘everyman’ figure, he is someone men can identify with, which is important in telling this story. We hope that anyone who recognises something of themselves in Aidan, will realise they can, and really should, talk about how they’re feeling."
Coronation Street's producer Kate Oates also said, “Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in this country. With 84 men taking their lives each week, we quite simply can’t afford to not talk about it.
“Aidan’s story, bravely and brilliantly tackled by Shayne Ward, is designed to give people who hide their feelings of desperation a chance to start a conversation, letting someone know what they’re going through.
"Through this story, we want to assure anyone who feels suicidal that there is always someone who wants to listen and support you: whether a friend, family member, or one of the brilliant charities we have been working with throughout this story. We want to tell people that however bleak they are feeling, there is always another way.”
Shayne Ward's final scenes on Coronation Street will be on the 7th May.
If you, or someone you know, are affected by the issues raised in this story you are encouraged to contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).