Coronation Street legend Sue Nicholls has shared a poignant message ahead of her character's heartbreaking storyline. The ITV soap has confirmed that Audrey Roberts will confide her friends that she attempted to take her own life.
Last month Corrie viewers were shocked when they saw the stalwart character receiving treatment in hospital after leaving a family gathering at the Bistro early but was then seen lying about being at home to her concerned daughter Gail. She also told a doctor that she had accidentally taken too many tablets.
This week she continues to insist that was the case to her own GP but in an emotional scene, which will be broadcast on August 15, Audrey confides in friends Roy, Rita, Claudia and Ken and admits to attempting suicide, despite previously telling her doctor she had only taken too many tablets by mistake.
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However, while sitting at a belated birthday lunch with her friends, Audrey will reveal that she made an attempt on her life three weeks ago and only survived because a neighbour posting a leaflet spotted her and called an ambulance.
As her friends try to come to terms with the shock revelation, they ask Audrey what led to the suicide attempt, confessing their guilt at not spotting the signs that their friend was struggling.
As the truth of the storyline was revealed on Monday (August 8), Sue, who has played Audrey in the ITV soap in 1979, shared her comments about what her character is going through. But she also shared a wider, poignant message.
She said: "Now that is the message that I want people to take away from this storyline, the importance of being able to talk to people you trust about how you feel.
"Sometimes the young generation might think that anyone over 70 isn’t capable of making decisions which in turn can make older people lose their sense of purpose and begin to feel quite useless."
Help can be found by calling the Samaritans free of charge at any time on 116 123 or by email at jo@samaritans.org or visit Samaritans.org.
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