Coronation Street viewers are left in tears over ‘heartbreaking’ scene where Ken Barlow tells his son Peter he attempted suicide
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Coronation Street fans have been left in tears following a heartbreaking scene in Wednesday night’s episode where Ken Barlow (William Roache) and his son Peter (Chris Gascoyne) discussed their struggles with mental health.
The segment, which has been praised by viewers across social media, saw Peter tell his dad he felt as if he could no longer carry on with life, as he battled liver failure in hospital following his alcoholism relapse.
Ken later revealed to his son that he had previously battled depression, and had attempted taking his own life 30 years ago.
Heartbreaking: Coronation Street fans have been left in tears following a scene in Wednesday night’s episode where Ken Barlow and his son Peter discussed their mental health struggles
He said: ‘You know I’m not going to let you give up.’
‘Why do you always have to be so positive?’ Peter then asked.
Ken responded: ‘I’ve had my low points too, you know, there was a time when I didn’t want to go on, I wanted to end it.
‘New Year’s Eve 1990, thirty years ago today. I was a mess, I had lost everything, my business, my wife, and I knew it was all my fault, I had done it to myself. My affair with Wendy Crozier poisoned everything.’
Honest: The segment saw Peter tell his dad (pictured) he felt as if he could no longer carry on with life, as he battled liver failure in hospital following his alcoholism relapse
Ken later told Peter that he had ‘a bottle of pills’ and had swallowed three before he was stopped by Bet Gilroy (Julie Goodyear).
He continued: ‘I have never told anybody, I never needed to until now.
‘It was the lowest I’ve ever been, I was ashamed of who I was, how selfish and thoughtless I had been, self-pity really. You know, if I had done it, if I’d given up, just think of all the wonderful things I would have missed.’
Ken later recalled the memories he made and the people he met in the 30 years following his suicide attempt, admitting that it was ‘all worth it’.
He then said: ‘The pain that I felt then is nothing compared to the joy I’ve had since.
Candid: Ken later revealed to his son that he had previously battled depression, and had attempted taking his own life 30 years ago
Hopeful: Ken told Peter that he believes that ‘things will get better’ for him
‘Peter, please believe me when I say things will get better, and I believe that you will get better from this illness.
‘You could have another 30 years and get to know your own grandchildren. Plenty of good times ahead, don’t give up just yet son.’
On Twitter, viewers revealed they were left sobbing over the scene, which has also been praised for its openness in regards to mental health.
One tweeted: ‘I loved that scene with Ken and Peter, men talking about their mental health is so important #corrie.’
Another added: ‘Ken and Peter’s heat to heart I’m crying.’
A third wrote: ‘This Peter/Ken scene is heartbreaking… #Corrie.’
In tears: On Twitter, viewers revealed they were left sobbing over the scene, which has also been praised for its openness in regards to mental health