Coronation Street fans have praised Peter Ash’s emotional performance after last night – after his character opened up about being sexually abused by his stepdad, Kel.
Heartbreaking scenes from Friday night’s double bill saw Paul try to convince himself that he was in love with Kel and had consented to what happened between them.
However, Billy tried to get through to Paul and make him realise that he was way too young to have been able to consent.
Later on, after Bernie showed him old photos of the family, Paul began to see just how young he was compared to Kel.
The closing scenes saw Billy find Paul on Victoria Street, where the latter was drinking and breaking down in tears.
Billy tried to tell him that Kel had manipulated him and groomed him.
As his memories started to come back, Paul insisted he had been the one to make the first move, that he had consented and that he had been in love with Kel.
Coronation Street fans took to Twitter following the heartbreaking episode to praise actor Peter Ash’s performance.
That was a hard watch. Great acting from @PeterAsh_85 #corrie
— Adrian English ? (@adyenglish) September 27, 2019
Hats off to @PeterAsh_85. Stunning work tonight. #Corrie
— Andy Gibson (@AndyGibsonTV) September 27, 2019
So proud of @PeterAsh_85 and @Dan_Brocklebank tonight , such heartbreaking scenes ?? #corrie @itvcorrie
— Shaun Eley (@Eley01) September 27, 2019
The Paul/Kel storyline is harrowing to watch but so important. #Corrie are doing a brilliant job atm so much going on rather than just one or two storylines ???
— Kate (@AuntieKaty) September 27, 2019
Watching Paul is so heartbreaking and upsetting I can’t imagine what he has been through as a child???? #SavePaul #Corrie
— Summaya❤️???? (@summaya_i) September 27, 2019
The actor who plays Paul!! Fantastically done for such a hard and upsetting storyline. @itvcorrie #corrie
— Kelly (@keldave78) September 27, 2019