Emmerdale star, Jonathan Wrather, has opened up in a new candid interview

Emmerdale and Coronation Street star Jonathan Wrather has opened up about his late father’s ‘cruel’ disease.

The actor, 56, has spoken candidly about his father Bill’s six-year battle with motor neurone disease (MND), where his dad slowly deteriorated eventually becoming bedridden and unable to communicate.

Tragically, Bill, who was one of around 5,000 people in the UK to have MND at any given time, sadly passed away in December 2023, aged 84.

Talking to The Mirror, Jonathan said: “MND is a cruel disease, it wastes everything. Even the muscles you don’t see, those you use to breathe and speak.” He added: “MND is like cancer – it’s indiscriminate.”

Looking back on their last drive together in one of his father’s beloved vintage cars, Jonathan recalled how after enjoying a picnic in Macclesfield Forest, his dad lost strength in one arm and hand.

Jonathan said: “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 is best known for playing Pierce Harris on Emmerdale from 2016 to 2017 with a brief return in 2020. He also played Joe Carter on Coronation Street from 2002 to 2003.

The actor is now using his talent to raise awareness of MND and on Saturday he will be appearing at Rye Arts Festival with Sally Bayly in Licenced to Thrill – a celebration of James Bond – in aid of MND research.

It comes as former England Rugby Union Captain, Lewis Moody, has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).‌

After experiencing some weakness in his shoulder, Lewis, aged 47, and his wife, Annie, were given life-altering news.

In a pre-recorded interview on BBC Breakfast, Lewis revealed: “Two weeks ago, I was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

“I think it’s safe to say it came as a fairly sizable shock to all of us. We’re rightly quite emotional about it.

“But it’s just so strange because I feel like nothing’s wrong, you know? I don’t feel ill, I don’t feel unwell. So yeah, a strange position to be in. We’ve processed lots of emotions over the last couple of weeks.

“It’s never me that I feel sad for, it’s the sadness around having to tell my mum, having to tell the boys, I mean, you know, two brilliant boys.”‌

Lewis then battled back tears as he looked back on the devastating moment, saying: “That was pretty heartbreaking wasn’t it? We sat on the couch in tears, Ethan and Dylan, both wrapped up in each other. Then the dog then jumped over and started licking the tears off our faces, which was rather sweet.

“It was without a shadow of a doubt the most horrible, hardest thing I’ve ever had to do but I’m really grateful we did it.”

Lewis then courageously said: “I feel at ease with it all now, maybe that’s shock, maybe that’s I don’t know, but…” to which his wife, Annie, replied: “It’s so typical of you, that’s just so Lewis. I’m in awe of you, honestly.”

The rugby legend then said: “We know the reality, I want to stay positive.”