Coronation Street confirmed the tragic news that Aidan Connor (played by Shayne Ward) will commit suicide in an episode next week.
However, producer Kate Oates revealed Aidan came very close to taking his own like in scenes aired back in January.
Admittedly most viewers would not have noticed the moment as Aidan was posting a letter to his father Johnny (Richard Hawley) at the time.
But when he discovered that Carla (Alison King) needed a kidney transplant he stopped the postman from delivering the note.
It turns out the letter was actually a suicide note, intended to explain the reason Aidan chose to end his life.
In that episode, Aidan also reminisced and flicked through old family photos, which his sister Kate (Faye Brookes) described as “weird” behaviour.
“There was an episode some time ago when Carla said to Aidan and Kate that she wasn’t very well – she needed a kidney transplant and they were her best chance at a match,” Kate told Digital Spy.
“The next day, Aidan went and intercepted a letter at Johnny’s house.”
She continued: “As writers and storytellers, we’d got ourselves to a point where Aidan was planning on doing it that night, but he decided to hang on for Carla.
“It didn’t mean he was better or sorted, but he just decided to hang on to help her.
“Within that period of story that followed, we’ve seen moments of hope and moments of Aidan going back down – all skillfully played by Shayne. The letter may be found in subsequent episodes.”
Kate defended her decision to air the controversial storyline, telling ITV’s Lorraine Kelly she wanted to show the power of dialogue.
“I think a really positive thing to take out of this storyline is once you start conversations, the power of talking is phenomenal.
“Once you’ve opened that door ever so slightly there are charities, friends and family that always want to listen to you.”
She added: “Once you’ve started that conversation the change can be astronomical and that’s really, really important. There’s a lot of positivity to come out of this story.”
Meanwhile, Shayne confessed to This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby that he was worried when he read the script.
“I was instantly scared, I was nervous and completely heartbroken because I knew that this was more than just a storyline.
“I knew the impact that it’s going to have on the public when it airs and I think it’s amazing that Coronation Street is covering this.”
Coronation Street continues tonight on ITV at 7.30pm and 8.30pm.
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