Shayne Ward Says He's 'Hurt' By 'Coronation Street' Suicide Storyline NTAs Snub

"I really thought it was an important issue that I wanted to draw attention to again."

Former ā€˜Coronation Streetā€™ actor Shayne Ward has admitted he was ā€œhurtā€ that his characterā€™s suicide storyline was snubbed from the longlist of this yearā€™s National Television Awards.

Shayne played Aidan Connor in the ITV soap until earlier this year, when the character was written out of the soap in a storyline that saw him take his own life.

Although ā€˜Corrieā€™ won widespread praise at the time, with Shayne claiming he was later ā€œinundatedā€ with messages from people affected by suicide, this didnā€™t translate to an NTA nomination for Shayne, who has now spoken out on social media.

Shayne in character as Aidan Connor
Shayne in character as Aidan Connor
ITV/Rex/Shutterstock

Reacting to the snub, Shayne tweeted: ā€œThis was the one I worked hard for. Itā€™s always a blessing to be put forward for a nomination. And Iā€™m always humbled.

ā€œBut to have not even been considered for Best Serial Drama Performance for Aidanā€™s suicide has really hurt me.ā€

In an attempt to stop his words being ā€œmisconstruedā€, he then took down the tweet, and posted a follow-up statement in which he explained he wasnā€™t upset for himself or his ā€œegoā€, but rather that the way ā€˜Corrieā€™ treated an important and relevant issue had been overlooked.

ā€œIā€™m sorry if my tweet was misconstrued by some people,ā€ he said. ā€œIt really wasnā€™t about me winning an award and being selfish or having an ego. That ainā€™t me.

ā€œI really thought it was an important issue that I wanted to draw attention to again. Sometimes the way we word stuff doesnā€™t always showcase our true meaning. So Iā€™m sorry again. Love to you all.ā€

šŸ˜”x pic.twitter.com/XRMVyxGsui

ā€” Shayne Ward (@shayneTward) October 17, 2018

It should be noted that the vast majority of the Aidan Connor suicide storyline took place after Shayne left the soap, with ā€˜Corrieā€™ deliberately giving the character a quiet exit, with only a few subtle clues suggesting what the character was going through in the lead-up to his death.

Shayne isnā€™t the only notable absentee from the NTAs longlist, with Susanna Reid doing little to mask her disapproval that she was snubbed in the Best Presenter category, while ā€˜Good Morning Britainā€™ co-stars Ben Shephard and Piers Morgan both received nods.

Useful websites and helplines:

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  • Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
  • The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
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