In emotional scenes set to air on Coronation Street, Johnny Connor confides in his daughter Kate about his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The character, played by Richard Hawley, has been hiding the condition from his fiancée Jenny Bradley, fearing she will feel compelled to become his carer.
After Kate confronts her father about his secretive behaviour, Johnny reveals the truth, explaining that he has had symptoms for years but only recently received the diagnosis. Later, alone in his flat, Johnny trips and falls, hitting his head and losing consciousness.
The storyline has been developed with input from the MS Society, and Hawley has worked closely with MS sufferer Richard Bones to ensure authenticity. Hawley stated that the role has changed him personally, describing the experience as enriching and emphasising the importance of hope and courage.
Show boss Kate Oates has confirmed that Johnny's MS is not an exit storyline; the condition will be a long-term narrative as he comes to terms with it and more characters learn the truth. Johnny's type of MS is relapsing and remitting, which he has likely had for at least two decades.
