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

Former ‘Coronation Street’ actor Shayne Ward has admitted he was “hurt” that his character’s suicide storyline was snubbed from the longlist of this year’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 ‘Corrie’ won widespread praise at the time, with Shayne claiming he was later “inundated” with messages from people affected by suicide, this didn’t translate to an NTA nomination for Shayne, who has now spoken out on social media.

Reacting to the snub, Shayne tweeted: “This was the one I worked hard for. It’s always a blessing to be put forward for a nomination. And I’m always humbled.

“But to have not even been considered for Best Serial Drama Performance for Aidan’s suicide has really hurt me.”

In an attempt to stop his words being “misconstrued”, he then took down the tweet, and posted a follow-up statement in which he explained he wasn’t upset for himself or his “ego”, but rather that the way ‘Corrie’ treated an important and relevant issue had been overlooked.

“I’m sorry if my tweet was misconstrued by some people,” he said. “It really wasn’t about me winning an award and being selfish or having an ego. That ain’t me.

“I really thought it was an important issue that I wanted to draw attention to again. Sometimes the way we word stuff doesn’t always showcase our true meaning. So I’m sorry again. Love to you all.”

It should be noted that the vast majority of the Aidan Connor suicide storyline took place after Shayne left the soap, with ‘Corrie’ 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 isn’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 ‘Good Morning Britain’ co-stars Ben Shephard and Piers Morgan both received nods.

Useful websites and helplines:

• Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
• 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