When Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) and Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) finally tied the knot on Monday’s (May 29) episode of Coronation Street, it was the moment we had all been waiting for, and feelings were running high.
With the most absurdly ornate wedding gown imaginable, it was a traditional soap opera wedding. Gemma’s bright orange tulle explosion of a dress, replete with fairy lights and a seven-meter-long train, was a complete showstopper. It was so broad that it could not fit down the aisle.
In keeping with Gemma’s outgoing attitude, her wedding vows were a touch unique as well because they included song titles from the mix tapes that Gemma’s mother Bernie (Jane Hazlegrove) used to make when she was a child.
The bride’s mother Bernie got upset when she learned that Linda (Jacqueline Leonard) had paid for a lot of the wedding expenses, such as Chesney’s suit, the catering, and the flowers. No soap opera wedding would be complete without a brawl. They got into a cake fight after their quarrel.
Much of it was lighthearted fun, if that makes sense. The awareness that Gemma’s twin brother Paul (Peter Ash) was hiding something from her, however, permeated the entire episode. He has motor neurone disease (MND) and is aware that, at best, a few years will pass before his death.
Paul wanted to completely avoid the wedding because of his problems, which started with his hand and have since spread to his leg. In the end, he made the decision to attend the wedding after learning how angry Gemma was that he wouldn’t be there via Joseph (William Flanagan).
Billy (Daniel Brocklebank) helped him get ready for the occasion and shaved him in a deeply poignant sequence. Paul said to his girlfriend, “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” and you could tell the sentiment was shared by both of them.
Later, Paul did his best to hide his symptoms as he accompanied his sister down the aisle while Billy struggled to maintain composure as he officiated the ceremony. Gemma appeared a little worried about him, but as soon as she and Chesney exchanged vows, everyone forgot about it.
Paul was concerned when he was informed that he would be required to give a speech, but when the food fight broke out, he rushed to the stage to try to diffuse the situation. He began his moving statement by stating that he couldn’t recall the last time he had experienced such joy. He talked about the time during his early years when he and Gemma were frequently apart.
The realisation of how little time they had left together hit him hard as he began to remark they had wasted so much time in the past. He hastily walked away, dragging his foot.
Gemma pursued him and discovered him sobbing. She was not going to sleep until he had explained what was wrong with him.
He suddenly blurted out, “I’m dying,” because he was at a loss for words. Okay? He cried out, “I’m dying.
Gemma’s mouth dropped as she attempted to process what he had said, and Bernie, who had just entered the room, looked the same behind her.
The last thing Paul wanted to do was ruin Gemma’s wedding, which was a major factor in why he concealed his diagnosis for so long. However, the information is now public. How will Bernie and Gemma adjust to the knowledge that they will lose Paul?
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