Tyrone’s health took a worrying turn during the latest edition of the ITV soap
Alan Halsall playing Tyrone Dobbs in Coronation Street(Image: ITV)
Coronation Street has confirmed Tyrone Dobbs will struggle in upcoming scenes as the realities of suffering a spinal injury are laid bare in his latest storyline.
Those who follow the ITV soap were led to believe that Betsy Swain would be the victim of a hit and run last month following the release of a trailer that gave them a glimpse at what was to come in Weatherfield.
However, fans were shocked to see that passer-by Tyrone was the one who was knocked over after the speeding vehicle swerved to avoid Betsy, with it later being revealed that Carl Webster was the one behind the wheel amid his car-stealing scheme.
When in hospital, Tyrone revealed he couldn’t feel his legs and following an operation, the mechanic has returned home to continue his recovery.
During Monday’s (October 13) episode of Corrie, Cassie Plummer was seen helping her son with his exercises as he continues his rehab But when she received a text from Steve McDonald, she was quick to escape.
Meanwhile, on the street, Fiz was seen reaching a decision and rather than heading home, she asked Tim Metcalfe to drive her into town. But when Cassie returned to No.9, she was horrified to find Tyrone lying in agony on the floor having fallen out of his wheelchair.
Now, Corrie has shared that Manchester Arena bomb survivor Martin Hibbert has visited the set of Coronation Street to help actor Alan Halsall with research for Tyrone’s spinal injury storyline.
Martin and his wife Gabby met Alan and on-screen wife Fiz, played by Jennie McAlpine to share their own experience of living with a spinal cord injury.
Martin Hibbert has supported the Corrie actors with their current storyline(Image: ITV)
He was the closest casualty to the bomb blast to survive, suffering 22 shrapnel wounds and undergoing life-saving surgery at Salford Royal Hospital.
Martin’s spine was severed by shrapnel, leaving him with a T10 complete spinal cord injury and paralysed from the waist down.
Martin is also the Vice President of the Spinal Injuries Association, with the charity having worked with the Coronation Street research team and advised on scripts for Tyrone’s story.
In the coming months viewers will see Tyrone’s struggle to deal with the mental and physical effects of the injury which will put real strain on his and Fiz’s marriage.
Alan and Jennie were said to be delighted to be able to meet Martin and Gabby and get some real insight into the life of someone living with, or caring for someone with such a life-changing injury.
Alan said: “We are so grateful to Martin and Gabby for giving up their time to talk to us about their experiences. We might be telling this story on screen but at the end of the day we go home to our family and friends and leave behind what the characters are going through.
“Even just trying to negotiate getting around the set in the wheelchair has been a real eye-opener for me so to hear Martin’s own stories about how his life has changed has been really helpful and also humbling.”
Jennie commented: “For Fiz trying to juggle family life and caring for Tyrone is really difficult. It was invaluable for us to meet them both and hear Gabby’s side of their story, for them their lives changed in an instant in so many ways and that is what Fiz is having to deal with whilst looking after Tyrone.”
Martin also added: “I’m so impressed that Coronation Street has chosen to tell this important story. Spinal cord injury can happen to anyone, at any time, and having such a big TV programme shine a light on the realities of living with it will make a huge difference.
“By showing that ordinary people can be affected, it helps to raise awareness, break down barriers and start vital conversations about life after injury. It was an honour for Gabby and I to share our experience and see first-hand the care and respect the team are putting into getting this right.”
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV and STV and is available on ITVX and STVPlayer from 7am