Coronation Street viewers were left heartbroken during Friday’s episode of the soap as Billy Mayhew finally learned of Paul Foreman’s motor neurone disease diagnosis.

Paul (Peter Ash) was told he had the condition earlier this year but kept the devastating news to himself, refusing to tell his partner Billy (Daniel Brocklebank) while only pal Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) was in the loop.

Worrying about how he’d pay for the support he’d need as motor neurone disease (MND) worsened, Paul was left doing anything he could to get his hands on some cash.

His desperation led him to attempting to steal a car, which saw him wind up in court.

However, after Paul swerved jail and was handed a suspended sentence for his crime when the judge took a sympathetic view because of his MND diagnosis on Friday, Paul returned home and burst into tears as he told Billy of his illness, admitting he was terrified of dying.

Devastating: Coronation Street viewers were left heartbroken during Friday’s episode of the soap as Billy Mayhew finally learned of Paul Foreman’s motor neurone disease diagnosis (actor Peter Ash seen as Paul, right)

Secrets: Paul was told he had the condition earlier this year but kept the devastating news to himself, refusing to tell his partner Billy (Daniel Brocklebank, left)

The emotional scenes left viewers in tears, with many taking to Twitter to express their sadness. 

One person wrote: ‘Outstanding acting by Billy and Paul that last scene made me cry @Dan_Brocklebank @PeterAsh_85 #MND #Corrie.’

Someone else posted: ‘The acting of Paul and Billy tonight was top notch. Just so heartbreaking and raw.’

While someone else remarked: ‘Watching #coronationstreet with a tear in my eye, amazing work from @PeterAsh_85 but so glad Billy finally knows the truth.’

Someone else tweeted: ‘#coronationstreet #mnd Paul in so sad, not sure what others think but I think he is portraying a horrendous disease really well, it’s a beast of a disease! Well done @PeterAsh_85.’

‘I’ll be gutted when Paul passes, I absolutely adore him,’ wrote someone else, while another person posted: ‘This Billy and Paul scene is heartbreaking.’

Another viewer wrote: ‘Thank God, Billy finally knows about Paul. It’s an awful way to find out though.’

While one other audience member at home posted: ‘Billy and Paul are breaking my heart.’

Moving: The emotional scenes left viewers in tears, with many taking to Twitter to express their sadness

Paul was left devastated after his hopes for a miracle MND cure were dashed.

The builder has been secretly struggling in recent weeks after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), with only pal Dee-Dee Bailey in the loop about his illness.

Paul revealed his excitement to Dee-Dee about a new drug on the internet which claims to cure MND.

Full of renewed hope, he visited the MND clinic with the aims of to discussing the new drug, however, he had no success.

Coronation Street continues on Monday at 7.30pm on ITV1.