An absolutely heartbreaking week is in store for Coronation Street fans as the soap is set to air one of its most shocking deaths yet with the suicide of Aidan Connor, played by Shayne Ward.

In episodes that will air next week, viewers will see Aidan take his own life after months of quietly struggling with depression. This storyline has been played out very subtly on the soap in a view to showing viewers that the signs are sometimes not as obvious as you may think.

Speaking on This Morning, Ward said: "That's the message that we're trying to get out: that sometimes it's not as plain to see; you have to look a little bit deeper. But all the signs were there with Aidan."

Viewers have seen Aidan acting out of character of late, from breaking down in tears after his operation to give Carla a kidney and his uncharacteristic reaction to her giving him the factory.

Monday night will be the last time we see Aidan on the soap. It will see him attending his dad Johnny's leaving do, giving him a farewell present in a poignant moment. Later, he visits Eva in the cottage and reveals he knows Susie is his. The pair have a deep chat and Aidan deliberately leaves behind her engagement ring as he heads back to the Street and she takes it as a sign that he wants to try again.

However, in Wednesday's hour-long episode of Coronation Street, viewers will see Aidan's dad Johnny discover his son's body in his flat along with a suicide note.

Speaking about his shocking exit, Ward said: "I was nervous and completely heartbroken, because I knew that this was more than just a storyline. I knew the impact that it's going to have on the public when it's aired. I think it's amazing that Coronation Street is covering this."

Watch the interview below:

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can contact Pieta House 24/7 Helpline 1800 247 247 or the Samaritans Helpline 116 123 free of charge.