Billy Coronation Street: Beloved Vicar’s Tragic Exit Shocks Fans in Historic Crossover Event
The End of an Era for Billy Mayhew
The kind-hearted vicar met a grisly fate on Monday night (5 January) as scheming Theo Silverton took desperate steps to silence him forever. Daniel Brocklebank, best known for portraying Billy Mayhew in ITV’s long-running soap Coronation Street (2014–2026), has bid farewell to one of British television’s most beloved characters after 11 years on the cobbles.
Billy’s death occurred during the one-hour crossover event which saw the worlds of Coronation Street and Emmerdale collide for the very first time. The historic Corriedale episode brought together characters from both soaps in a dramatic multi-vehicle crash that sealed Billy’s fate.
A Dark Turn of Events
Billy has taken centre stage in huge scenes recently, as he discovered that his ex-partner Todd Grimshaw was being abused by his current fiancé Theo. The vicar attempted to rescue Todd, but his heroic efforts would prove fatal.
Billy, Todd and Theo were all in the minibus travelling home from Debbie Webster’s wedding when they were caught up in a multi-car crash on a remote road. In a chilling twist, Theo had a chance to save Billy, who was stuck inside, but he ruthlessly trapped his enemy further and left him to die.
The Actor Behind the Character
Daniel Brocklebank filmed his final scenes as Billy late last year and recently caught up with Inside Soap’s weekly Soap Scoop podcast and chatted about saying goodbye to Coronation Street after 11 years. The actor’s departure was announced in May 2025, giving fans time to prepare for this emotional farewell.
Immediately after he finished filming at the ITV soap, he started working on a stage production of Young Frankenstein at the Liverpool Playhouse. The rapid transition demonstrated Brocklebank’s commitment to his craft and eagerness for new creative challenges.
A Legacy of Important Storylines
Since joining the show in 2014, Billy Mayhew has been at the centre of numerous groundbreaking storylines. In 2024, the character dealt with the heartbreaking death of his husband, Paul Foreman, played by Peter Ash, who succumbed to motor neurone disease (MND). This powerful narrative earned critical acclaim and raised awareness for MND.
Coronation Street is working on Todd and Theo’s story with support from Galop, the LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity, demonstrating the show’s continued commitment to addressing important social issues through Billy’s final storyline.
The Aftermath and Future Impact
The coming episodes will explore the devastating impact of Billy’s death on Weatherfield. Coronation Street’s newest killer Theo Silverton slyly twists the knife this week, as he tries to make Todd Grimshaw feel guilty for Billy Mayhew’s death. This manipulation adds another layer of tragedy to an already heartbreaking situation.
For fans and the Weatherfield community alike, Billy Mayhew’s death marks the loss of a compassionate, complex character who brought depth and representation to British television. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to resonate with viewers long after his final scenes aired.