Coronation Street star reveals beloved father’s battle with ‘cruel’ Motor Neurone Disease
Coronation Street and Emmerdale star Jonathan Wrather has spoken out about his beloved father’s battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
MND is a life-limiting condition that causes muscles to weaken over time and predominantly affects adults over the age of 50, though it can affect adults of any age. Currently, there is no cure.
Jonathan recently revealed that his father, Bill, suffered from the condition prior to his death in 2023 at age 84.
The actor opened up about Bill’s six-year battle with the condition, which saw him lose his independence.
‘MND is a cruel disease, it wastes everything. Even the muscles you don’t see, those you use to breathe and speak,’ Jonathan told The Mirror.
‘MND is like cancer – it’s indiscriminate.’
What is Motor neurone disease?
Motor neurone disease (MND) is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It mainly impacts people in their 60s and 70s, but it can affect adults of all ages.
MND is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurones. Over time, these cells stop working, and the disease gets gradually worse – moving, swallowing and breathing get increasingly difficult.
Currently there is no cure for the disease, which shortens life expectancy and eventually, leads to death. Treatments do exist that mean some people can live with the condition for many years, including physiotherapy and a medicine called riluzole that can slightly slow down the progression of the condition.
In most cases, it is not hereditary, but having a close relative with motor neurone disease can sometimes mean you’re more likely to get it.
The NHS lists the early symptoms as:
- weakness in your ankle or leg – you might trip, or find it harder to climb stairs
- slurred speech, which may develop into difficulty swallowing some foods
- a weak grip – you might drop things, or find it hard to open jars or do up buttons
- muscle cramps and twitches
- weight loss – your arms or leg muscles may have become thinner over time
- difficulty stopping yourself from crying or laughing in inappropriate situations
The NHS advises you to speak to your GP if you experience the symptoms. ‘It’s unlikely you have motor neurone disease, but getting a correct diagnosis as early as possible can help you get the care and support you need,’ they state.
For more information and support you can contact the MND Association.
The star explained the moment he knew the condition had ‘taken hold’, recalling a memory of their last time driving together in one of Bill’s vintage cars.
‘He was still driving at this point and I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but I can remember having to change the gears while he operated the clutch – he didn’t have full use of his arm to do it himself!
‘It’s a fond memory of our last drive tearing around country lanes, but it was also when I realised the disease had taken hold.’
Jonathan went on to praise his step-mother and Bill’s carers for supporting him in his final years, explaining that it ‘isn’t easy’ to provide end-of-life care.
‘I have immense respect and admiration for the carers who looked after him,’ he said.
The actor also expressed his gratitude at being able to spend valuable time with Bill before he passed away.
Jonathan is perhaps best known to soap fans as Corrie conman Joe Carter, and Emmerdale villain Pierce Harris.
Having cemented himself in the public eye, Jonathan is now using his platform to raise awareness and money for MND.
Jonathan spoke out about his experience after England rugby player Lewis Moody revealed his own diagnosis.
Lewis said his diagnosis was discovered after he noticed weakness in his shoulder while training in the gym.
Physiotherapy failed to improve the problem and a series of scans showed nerves in his brain and spinal cord had been damaged by MND.
Lewis said he has ‘never’ felt sadness for himself but understandably struggled telling his mum and two children the heartbreaking news.