After more than a decade on the cobbles, Coronation Street is preparing to say goodbye to one of its most quietly powerful and emotionally resonant characters.

Daniel Brocklebank, who has portrayed the compassionate yet deeply flawed vicar Billy Mayhew since 2014, has officially wrapped filming and is preparing for

his final scenes to air in 2026. As the curtain falls on an 11-year chapter, the actor has spoken movingly about his departure, reflecting on loss, love, legacy,

and the profound bonds formed behind the scenes. For many viewers, Billy Mayhew is far more than a supporting character. Introduced initially as Sean Tully’s partner, Billy quickly evolved into a central emotional anchor within Weatherfield. Over the years, he became entangled in complex romantic relationships, most notably with Todd Grimshaw and later Paul Foreman, while also serving as a moral compass — albeit one who frequently struggled to live up to his own ideals. Daniel Brocklebank’s nuanced performance transformed Billy into one of the soap’s most layered and human figures.

Speaking ahead of his final episodes, Brocklebank has made it clear that his departure is not marked by bitterness or regret, but by gratitude. “I’ve got nothing but absolute love in my heart for Coronation Street,” he shared, acknowledging how deeply the show has shaped his personal and professional life. After 32 years in the acting industry, spending 11 of them in one place has been uniquely transformative. “It becomes like a big family,” he explained, a sentiment echoed by many long-serving soap actors.

Daniel Brocklebank’s final scenes as Billy Mayhew will air in 2026

Billy’s journey has been defined by some of Coronation Street’s most harrowing and socially impactful storylines. Perhaps the most devastating came with the terminal illness and death of his husband, Paul Foreman. Paul’s battle with motor neurone disease (MND) was depicted with unflinching honesty and emotional weight, culminating in scenes that left audiences heartbroken. The storyline was widely praised for raising awareness of the condition while maintaining dignity and realism, and Brocklebank’s portrayal of grief-stricken Billy earned him critical acclaim.

The on-screen partnership between Daniel Brocklebank and Peter Ash (Paul Foreman) resonated far beyond Weatherfield. Their performances were honoured with the Best Partnership award at the 2024 Inside Soap Awards, as well as Best Storyline at the Radio Times Soap Awards. These accolades underscored the cultural impact of their work and cemented Billy and Paul as one of Coronation Street’s most beloved couples.

Daniel has landed a role in Young Frankenstein

In the aftermath of Paul’s death, viewers watched Billy spiral through grief, guilt, and self-destruction. These recent episodes showcased Brocklebank at his most raw, portraying a man struggling to reconcile his faith with devastating personal loss. It is fitting, then, that Billy’s exit comes at a time when the character is once again facing a crossroads — though the details of his final storyline remain tightly under wraps.

While fans speculate about how Billy will leave Weatherfield, Brocklebank has chosen to focus on what he leaves behind rather than how he exits. Above all else, he says, it is the people he will miss most. “The friendships are the hardest part,” he admitted. Yet he is quick to add that those bonds will not disappear simply because filming has ended. Remaining based in Manchester, Daniel is determined to stay closely connected with his Corrie family. “The people I’m closest to, we already see each other all the time. Now we’ll just have to arrange a coffee instead of bumping into each other at work.”

That sense of continuity is reflected in the keepsakes Brocklebank has taken from the set — tangible reminders of a character and a chapter that meant so much. From Billy’s leather chair, now placed in his own bedroom, to quirky sausage dog artwork and treasured wedding photos from Billy and Paul’s ceremony, each item carries emotional significance. Even small props, such as Polaroids taken during key scenes and a stag-do sash, have found a place in his home, serving as personal relics of an extraordinary journey.

Peter Ash and Daniel created one of the soap’s most memorable storylines

Yet Daniel Brocklebank is not slowing down. Almost immediately after finishing his final Coronation Street scenes, he stepped into the lead role of Young Frankenstein: The Musical at Liverpool’s Playhouse Theatre. For the actor, the transition from soap drama to musical comedy has been energising. Dusting off his tap shoes, he has embraced the challenge with characteristic enthusiasm, proving that while one chapter has ended, another is already unfolding.

Reflecting on his years as Billy, Brocklebank highlights the remarkable range of material he was given. From light-hearted moments to deeply tragic arcs — and even controversial storylines involving addiction — Billy Mayhew was never short of drama. “He should never have touched that heroin,” Daniel joked, acknowledging the character’s darker chapters with a sense of perspective and humour.

Ultimately, Brocklebank’s farewell is not framed as an ending, but as a celebration. Eleven years on Coronation Street brought not only career-defining moments, but also shared life experiences with colleagues — weddings, births, losses, and milestones that forged bonds far deeper than a typical workplace. “Those relationships are cemented by time,” he reflected, explaining how shared journeys inevitably bring people closer together.

As Billy Mayhew prepares to take his final steps on the cobbles, viewers can expect an exit shaped by emotion, history, and meaning. And while Weatherfield will undoubtedly feel his absence, Daniel Brocklebank leaves knowing he gave the character everything — and received just as much in return.

“I’ve loved my time at Corrie,” he said simply. “And I will always look back on it with nothing but absolute love.”