This is the shocking moment when Coronation Street veteran Ken Barlow suffers a suspected heart attack during an episode to air next week.
Viewers know that vulnerable pensioner Ken, played by William Roache, is being drugged by his carer Cassie Plummer, played by Claire Sweeney. But when he collapses in pain during Wednesday’s episode, clutching at his chest as he reaches for the phone, it’s unclear whether it’s a direct result of Cassie’s long-running scheme, or not.
Cassie started slipping antihistamines into Ken’s tea many months ago, in a bid to ensure that her employment as his carer continued. She reasoned that as long as he regularly felt unwell, he and the family would want to keep her on hand to look after him. A few weeks ago he was becoming so frail she even moved in with him, insisting he now needed round-the-clock care. And in recent weeks, she has taken her plan to fleece him to the next level, by stealing his credit card and buying expensive items for herself.
Ken is gripped with pain during next Wednesday’s instalent, clutching his chest before being rushed to hospital
But events take a far more sinister turn this week when he is rushed to hospital after his seizure – while Cassie is happily enjoying her newly arrived iPad and designer juicer. Also, ominously, she is seen asking Fiz to pick up some antihistamines for her while she’s out shopping.
But there is hope on the horizon for Ken because when Cassie heads out to have lunch with Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) at the Bistro, his eyes ping wide open – suggesting he might have rumbled what she is up to. By Thursday’s episode fans will be screaming at the TV as Ken lies in a hospital bed while grasping Cassie turns up to visit him.
One source said: “Ken suffers a suspected heart attack so there is potentially no connection with the drugs but he does collapse after all the stress of whether or not Cassie has been up to no good. Either way she is behind this sudden downturn in his health and the viewers will be baying for her blood by the end of the week.”
Actor William, 92, is the longest-running star of Coronation Street and holds the Guinness World Record for longest-serving cast member on any television show.
