Peter doesn’t want any help
HIS FAMILY RALLIES TO HELP HIM, BUT HE INSISTS ON SEALING HIS OWN FATE...
Peter is on a mission to drink himself to death this week – just hours after doctors tell him that his liver function has not improved.
The news is a devastating blow for Ken’s son after he returns from Scotland ready to turn his life around, having not touched a drop of booze. However, as the reality of Peter’s situation dawns, he reaches for the bottle again…
“Peter was always heading this way,” sighs actor Chris Gascoyne, who plays him. “That said, Peter really felt as though he’d turned a corner while he was away. So to hear that there is no improvement in his liver function is really hard for him.”
After receiving the news, Peter is ready to give up on himself. However, the Barlows aren’t prepared to lose him without a fight, and Daniel even offers to be a liver donor, if he’s a match. The trouble is, Peter doesn’t want it!
“He absolutely refuses,” shares Chris. “Peter feels that he doesn’t deserve any help, and he certainly doesn’t want his brother putting himself at risk for something he feels he’s brought on himself.”
Peter is so adamant that he asks solicitor Adam to draw up a legal document known as an ‘Advance Decision To Refuse Treatment’ declaration. Ken implores Peter to reconsider Daniel’s offer, but his stubborn son is having none of it.
“Peter knows he will upset his family, but his mind is made up,” Chris tells us. “He chucks a grenade at his life as he genuinely doesn’t feel worthy of treatment. Then he starts drinking again, even though he knows it will kill him.”
Peter’s loved ones are at a complete loss. Carla and the Barlows beg him to listen to reason, but he then glugs down a bottle of whiskey, and passes out in the ginnel.
“Peter has gone beyond being able to listen to anyone,” explains Chris. “He is openly drinking in front of them and he won’t accept anyone’s help. He is an addict.”
Steve comes across Peter unconscious and raises the alarm, and Dr Gaddas informs Ken that Peter is suffering from hypothermia. Yet to his father’s horror, Peter then heads back out into the freezing cold, with no regard for his safety. Has he signed his own death warrant?
“Peter feels that he doesn’t deserve any help!”