The right to die issue is one that has certainly had a huge presence in the media of late and British soaps would never shy away from an important talking point in the public eye.
Coronation Street have decided to address the issue of the right to die with the character of Hayley, Roy’s wife.
Julie Hesmondhalgh, who was the first transgender character in a soap, will be leaving after 15 years, according to RTE, after Hayley is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Producer Stuart Blackburn spoke about the right to die issue in the show: “This is a very sensitive issue and we will be exploring the effects of her decision on husband Roy who has a huge emotional and moral dilemma over her choice to die this way.
“The palliative care Hayley receives is superb but she is scared that the pain relief can cause confusion and a loss of clarity. She is concerned she could regress to being Harold, she’s already had one such nightmare.”
“She wants to die in peace with clarity of thought, she wants to die as Hayley – the identity she has spent her whole life fighting for.”
Coronation Street have also promised that both sides of the debate will be represented as Roy is strongly against Hayley’s decision to end her life.
