Roy and Hayley Cropper
'Coronation Street' fans were left distressed following last night's suicide scenes on the show.
The soap opera said goodbye to fan favourite Hayley (Julie Hesmondhalgh) in a tear-jerking double episode yesterday, which saw the loveable transgender character take her own life against long-term love Roy Cropper's wishes after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.
'#GoodbyeHayley' is currently the highest-trending hashtag on Twitter as almost 13 million fans took to the social network to pay their respects to the mild-mannered ITV soap stalwart.
'Corrie' star Catherine Tyldesley wrote: "I've cried to the point of feeling sick #GoodbyeHayley / Hayley Cropper has been like chicken soup for my soul all these years. As an avid viewer I will miss her deeply. What a character #corrie. (sic)"
Vicky Entwistle - best known for her role as factory worker Janice Battersby - added: "Wonderful performances @juliehes & David Just wonderful!! Andy & I are in bits! #GoodbyeHayley made us proud to know you! X (sic)"
Meanwhile, support group The Samaritans briefed volunteers at over 201 UK branches to respond to an inundation of calls from devastated fans left upset by the scenes of Hayley downing a lethal cocktail drink.
Sal Lalji, the charity's spokeswoman told The Sun newspaper: "We spoke to them over certain aspects. We said whatever drugs Hayley used, they should not show how she got them and insisted that the devastation afterwards must be shown. It's important not to shy away from that."
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