Coronation Street’s Julie Hesmondhalgh: Hayley’s death is not a ‘right to die’ storyline

[画像:Julie Hesmondhalgh and David Neilson film Hayley and Roy’s final scene together (Picture: ITV)]

The Coronation Street actress who plays Hayley Cropper has insisted that her character’s death is not an assisted suicide storyline, but added that she thinks it’s great that the plot has sparked debate.

Viewers have watched Hayley learn that she has terminal pancreatic cancer and then gradually come to the decision that she wants to take her own life. Her death will be broadcast on Coronation Street this evening.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Julie Hesmondhalgh said: ‘We couldn’t have anticipated the furore around it... and obviously I have an opinion about it. And I love that I’ve been pegged as a sort of humanist avenger, you know, trying to tell the world about assisted dying.

‘It’s not an assisted dying storyline; she takes her own life. She makes sure that [her husband] Roy is not involved in it at all. It’s very balanced.

‘I feel it’s been done very responsibly and very gently and it’s been seeded for months and months.

‘Television starts conversations and debates on these things and I think that’s a wonderful thing. It’s timely and it’s appropriate and I think that’s great.’

[画像:From ITV STRICT EMBARGO -TV Listings Magazines Tuesday 14 Janusary 2014, Newspapers and other media including ANY websites Saturday 18 January 2014 Coronation Street - Ep 8305 Monday 20 January 2014 - 2nd Ep Hayley Cropper [JULIE HESMONDHALGH] silently looks out of the flat window as the world goes about its business knowing today is to be her last. Ironing Roy Cropper [DAVID NEILSON] best shirt, she asks him to wear it to her funeral. Clearly pained at the idea, Roy asks Hayley to reconsider but Hayley s mind is made up. Realising with dread that the time has come, Roy helps Hayley into bed but they re disturbed when Tyrone calls round looking for Ruby s toy kangaroo. Sensing things aren t right, Anna shuts the caf and sits alone in the dark. Upstairs, Hayley prepares to take her lethal cocktail, telling Roy he must not touch the glass or have any part in it . Has Weatherfield s greatest love story come to end? Picture contact: david.crook@itv.com on 0161 952 6214 Photographer - Joseph Scanlon This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Plc Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itvpictures.com]

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Asked whether she got any say in how Hayley left the soap, Julie replied: ‘No, none at all. I went to the producer at the beginning of last year and said that I wanted to leave and I knew that she would have to die.

‘I knew there was no way they were ever going to split Roy and Hayley up. That would have been a betrayal of everything we’ve done over 16 years because they’re the most steadfast and loyal and conservative with a small ‘c’ couple in soap, so I knew that’s the only way they would ever leave each other.

‘What the storyline’s done for awareness around pancreatic cancer has been absolutely phenomenal. It’s a cancer that very few people knew much about at the time. It’s got very low survival rates which haven’t improved in 40 years and we’ve done a lot to raise its profile, so I’m very proud of that.’

[画像:Television Programme: Coronation Street with Roy Cropper [David Neilson] And Hayley Cropper [Julie Hesmondhalgh] From ITV STRICT EMBARGO -TV Listings Magazines Tuesday 16 July 2013, Newspapers and other media including ANY websites Saturday 20 July 2013 Coronation Street - Ep 8176 Wednesday 24 July 2013 As Roy Cropper [DAVID NEILSON] spends hours researching pancreatic cancer his findings terrify Hayley Cropper [JULIE HESMONDHALGH] but she covers to spare him. However when the time comes to set off for the hospital, and Roy s nowhere to be seen, Hayley s nerves kick in. Roy rushes in just as she s about to go into theatre. As Hayley breaks down will he be able to give her the support she needs? Picture contact: david.crook@itv.com on 0161 952 6214 Photographer - Joseph Scanlon This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Plc Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itvpictures.com]

The actress, who has seen Hayley’s final scenes in a preview of the moving episode, added that she couldn’t watch the scenes again.

‘I found it very difficult,’ she said.

‘I won’t be watching it again. I watched it before the press previews with my husband at home and it was carnage in our house. We got the whisky out in the end.

‘It’s very odd because for me as well obviously because for me it’s all about saying goodbye to somewhere that I’ve worked for 16 years and I’ve loved and as well as saying goodbye to this wonderful character who I’ve grown to love as part of my own family, really.

‘It’s a hard watch.’

Hayley’s death is to be broadcast on Coronation Street at 7.30pm on ITV1.

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