Billy Mayhew has been a beloved character for a decade, but did you know he was almost called Hugh on Coronation Street? Actor Daniel Brocklebank recently revealed that the ITV soap decided the original name sounded ‘too posh’ for the vicar. Reflecting on his time since 2014, Daniel shared how Billy’s character evolved from a ‘cool’ vicar to a ‘nerdy geek.’ Keep scrolling to find out what’s next for him!
Daniel Brocklebank Reveals A Big Change For His Character
Actor Daniel Brocklebank revealed that his character Billy Mayhew was originally going to be called Hugh, but the show’s execs thought it sounded too posh. So, they changed it to Billy before his debut on the soap. The actor has been playing the character since 2014.
Recently, he explained how much Billy has changed over the past decade. He reflected on his incredible journey and evolution. Daniel shared that he was informed from the beginning that Billy’s sexuality was incidental and not a defining trait. Reflecting on the early episodes, he mentioned that Billy used to be much cooler.
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Now, however, Billy has become more of a nerdy geek. He added, “Everything he’s been through would have a detrimental effect on his coolness, I suppose.” He also humorously suggested that his own geekiness might have contributed to Billy’s shift away from being cool.
Currently, the soap actor is deeply involved in his character’s husband, Paul Foreman’s motor neurone disease (MND) storyline. Recently, Paul’s condition has gotten worse, and the spoilers pictures show the couple renewing their vows in a church soon.
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This storyline is especially emotional for the actor, as his grandfather also had MND, making this role incredibly challenging and personal for him. He praised the writing and research teams for their brilliant accuracy in portraying Paul’s illness and Billy’s care for him.
The star mentioned that it made him reflect on his family’s experience while caring for his grandfather. What’s next for his alter-ego? Tune in to Soap Opera Daily for more Coronation Street updates! Also, do you want Billy’s ‘cool’ self to come back?
