'Not talking isn't working' - Coronation Street tackles male suicide

Coronation will shine a light on the issue of male suicide next week, when Aidan Connor tragically takes his own life,

In the episodes due to air next week, viewers will hear that Johnny Connor has discovered his son's body at his Victoria Street flat, after Aidan failed to turn up for work at the factory.

As the news of what happened to Aidan spreads,his devastated family and friends try to come to terms with the shock of their loss and begin to question why they had not spotted any signs he was struggling to cope.

Viewers will last see Aidan on screen on Monday May 7th when he goes to see Eva at the cottage where she is living after giving birth to baby Susie, before returning to a family party at the Rovers. His final scene will see him back at his flat alone.

Corrie bosses have stressed no element of the suicide will be show on screen

Shayne told us:

"I am honoured to have been trusted with a storyline like this, it shows the confidence Kate and the team had in me to be able to play it. When you get given a storyline like this it is a decision that is not taken lightly, I have played it with as much honesty and truth as I could. I am very proud of what I have done in my three years on the show, and on this storyline in particular."

Series producer Kate Oates said:

"84 men kill themselves every week, figures like that show not talking is not working. We're letting people know that this will happen so they can choose whether to tune in or not, but if people want to see the drama unfolding and learn how they might be able to help somebody or just think a little more deeply about the person next door, I think we could really do with thinking about this issue a bit more and this speaks to a lot of people.

"We are still a family show and I know people panic and wonder how they would explain these issues to their kids. Surely it is a brilliant thing to be able to tell your children that if you see something like this happening or you feel this way, talk to me or call this number. That's a much better and healthier way of looking at it than thinking it's a bit depressing so we won't talk about it."

Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, said: "Coronation Street is doing vital work in highlighting such an important issue with his storyline. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK, where three in every four suicides are male. The reasons for this are many and complex, but at CALM we focus on the cultural and societal aspects, including the pressures men face and how societal expectations can limit help seeking when life gets tough. Working with Coronation Street has allowed us to engage a huge audience in the devastating effect of suicide, while providing a platform to highlight the help that is available to those in need of support."