A Tragic Coronation Street Legacy

Seven years after one of Coronation Street’s most heartbreaking storylines, Shayne Ward has spoken out about the lasting impact of his role as Aidan Connor. The actor and singer, who first found fame on The X Factor two decades ago, left viewers devastated back in 2018 when Aidan tragically took his own life.

In scenes that remain among the soap’s most powerful moments, Aidan’s father Johnny Connor discovered his son’s body at his flat after he failed to show up for work at Underworld. The aftermath rocked Weatherfield, as friends and family struggled with grief and guilt over missing the signs. Gail Platt’s now-famous monologue on mental health continues to be remembered by fans as one of Corrie’s most moving speeches.

Shayne Reflects on His Corrie Experience

Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, Shayne admitted that the storyline continues to follow him years later. “It was an incredible reaction from the public,” he explained. “Playing Aidan Connor is honestly one of the most amazing experiences I ever had.”

The 40-year-old praised his Corrie colleagues, including soap legends Bill Roache, Jane Danson, and Barbara Knox, saying working alongside them was like being in a “masterclass” every day. Host Lorraine Kelly agreed, calling it “like going to university,” to which Shayne laughed and admitted he had soaked up every lesson like a sponge.

The Storyline’s Ongoing Impact

Despite moving on from the cobbles, Shayne revealed that fans still approach him to talk about Aidan’s final episodes. Many have thanked him personally for the sensitive way the storyline was portrayed, particularly as Coronation Street worked closely with mental health charities to ensure authenticity.

“To be trusted with that storyline… even now I get so many people coming up to me and saying thank you,” Shayne shared. “As a collective we tried to handle it with care. It was very powerful, one of those moments that stays with you.”

Life After the Cobbles

Since leaving Corrie, Shayne has kept busy in both acting and entertainment. He led the Channel 5 drama The Good Ship Murder, showing off his versatility in a very different role, and took to the ballroom floor in Strictly Come Dancing 2024. But as Lorraine pointed out, his talents belong in more dramatic projects — and Shayne agreed. “I do, I do,” he said when told he should be doing more acting.

Why Fans Still Remember Aidan Connor

Aidan Connor’s death remains one of Coronation Street’s most poignant storylines of the past decade, not just because of its emotional weight, but because it shone a spotlight on real-life issues of men’s mental health and suicide. For many viewers, the scenes offered a moment of awareness and conversation, and Shayne’s performance was central to that.

Even now, his words show just how much the story meant to him — and how deeply it continues to resonate with fans. Seven years on, the heartbreak of Aidan’s departure still lingers, reminding audiences of the power soaps can have when they tackle difficult but vital subjects.