Aidan takes his own life
TRAGEDY ROCKS THE CONNORS AS JOHNNY MAKES A DEVASTATING DISCOVERY…
The residents of Coronation Street are left in shock and utterly devastated this week, after Johnny discovers Aidan’s lifeless body – and realises that his son has taken his own life. For Aidan’s loved ones and Corrie viewers alike, his death comes as a complete bolt from the blue. But as departing Weatherfield star Shayne Ward explains, Aidan has been struggling to cope with life – and it’s a story that has been in the works for months, carefully plotted by Street bosses to highlight the important issue of male suicide.
“Everybody is going to be thinking and asking themselves, ‘Were there any telltale signs that Aidan was suicidal?’” shares the actor. “You can’t pin it down to one thing that has happened to him
over the years. He has cheated, he has lost people their jobs, and he has had a hard relationship with his father. But it isn’t always easy to spot that a person is struggling to cope.”
Prior to his death, viewers will see that factory boss Aidan clearly has something on his mind as he sits alone, deep in thought. However, with his dad Johnny having finally set the wheels in motion to make his move to Spain with Jenny, there’s a leaving do in full swing at the Rovers that Aidan has to attend…
As the locals raise a toast, Aidan hands Johnny a farewell gift – and while his family and friends are ignorant of the fact that Aidan’s mind is made up, he has decided in himself that this will be the last time he ever sees them. But just when Aidan thinks he is ready to say goodbye, life throws him an unexpected curve ball as it
dawns on him that he is the father of Eva’s baby.
“Toyah has been acting awkward around Aidan with regards to Susie [whom Eva has secretly given birth to and given to Toyah],” shares Shayne. “He knows that Eva has gone away to have a baby that he believes to be Adam’s, so as far as Aidan is concerned, that door is shut. However, when Susie arrives, Toyah starts acting weirdly around him. He can’t work out why, but there is a moment when he tells Toyah the baby is beautiful, and she gives him a strange look.
“Aidan thinks that’s a bit odd, then there’s a scene in the pub when someone goes to pass Susie to him, and Toyah steps in to break up the exchange,” continues the star. “That’s the second time she has acted weirdly around him with the baby, and when she returns to the bar, there is a moment when their eyes lock, and it’s so revealing. The truth dawns on Aidan that Susie is his child.”
With so many conflicting emotions whirring around in his mind, Aidan battles to make sense of the situation. He is compelled to reach for Susie, whom he cradles in his arms while piecing together the jigsaw of Eva and Toyah’s ruse.
“He feels the need to find out if he senses a connection to Susie, and it’s heartbreaking when he holds her,” sighs Shayne. “She is the most beautiful thing in the world, but you see the sadness in Aidan’s eyes as he realises that he can’t be there for her. He loves his daughter, though ultimately he doesn’t want to let her down. In his mind, Aidan has let everyone else down and he doesn’t want to do the same again. He feels that everyone, including this child, would be better off without him.”
In light of his realisation, Aidan feels compelled to seek out Eva and say his goodbyes. So even as he’s still struggling to make sense of things, Aidan secretly swipes the details of her hideaway cottage from Toyah’s handbag, and heads there to see his former fiancée one last time.
“Eva doesn’t know why Aidan is there, but it’s not so he can have it out with her – he just wants to see her,” says Shayne. “She’s confused, and when he tells her he has seen Susie, Eva panics and apologises – but Aidan insists she has nothing to apologise for.
“Aidan knows that Eva did everything she did because of how he treated her, and as she breaks down, he tells her she is doing the right thing,” he adds. “Johnny breaks the moment between them by ringing Aidan, so he tells Eva he loves her and says goodbye.”
After Aidan leaves, Eva is confused when she realises he has left behind her engagement ring. She hopes it’s a sign he wants to give their relationship another try, but her optimism couldn’t be more misplaced.
“Aidan heads back to the pub where we see him completely numb while sat with his family, who are unaware of his state of mind,” reveals Shayne.
“We see Aidan numb while sat with his family”
“The last time we see him is when he is back at his flat alone, where he breaks down.” No element of Aidan’s suicide is to be shown on screen. The next morning, when he doesn’t arrive to open the factory, Johnny assumes Aidan has slept in and goes to his son’s flat. Once inside, he finds a note in Aidan’s handwriting – then makes a heartwrenching discovery. After paramedics arrive and confirm that Aidan has died from suicide, the Connors are awash with grief, unable to comprehend what prompted his actions. As the family falls apart, each blaming themselves for not spotting that he was struggling to cope with life, how will they ever come to terms with their terrible loss?