Michelle Connor and Steve McDonald rushed to hospital over fears for their premature baby in tonight’s Coronation Street
Barmaid suffers awful pains during her baby shower
MICHELLE Connor will lose her baby in tonight's episode of Coronation Street.
The emotional scenes will mirror a similar tragedy experienced by actress Kym Marsh and her ex-husband Jamie Lomas.
The soap favourite recently spoke about her decision to relive the heartbreaking death of her son in the storyline.
Kym, 40, lost baby Archie seconds after he was born prematurely at just 21 weeks in 2009.
“I thought long and hard before agreeing to take on the challenge of this storyline. It is a cause very close to my heart having lost my beautiful Archie," she said.
“I have had to go to some very dark places in my mind while filming these heartbreaking scenes, but my family, friends and colleagues have been incredible.
"Losing a child is something that never leaves you so to revisit those feelings has been challenging.
“Coronation Street ensured that I had a counsellor on set at all times, but for me the best tonic after a hugely emotional day was to go home to my kids and be reminded of how lucky I am to have them.”
Kym was with her ex-husband, Hollyoaks actor Jamie, when she lost Archie.
They later had daughter Polly, five, together. She is also mum to David, 21, and Emily, 19.
She added: “I felt it was an important story to tell to raise awareness of something which affects thousands of women every year. I am very proud.”
Bosses worked closely with stillbirth charity Sands on the episode, which will see the barmaid rushed to hospital after suffering pains during her baby shower at the Rovers.
When her waters break at the hospital, she receives the devastating news that her baby is too under-developed to survive.
Once Michelle has given birth and baby Ruairi is pronounced dead, devastated Steve will try to comfort Michelle but will blame himself for the loss.
The depressive develops an irrational fear that he is to blame for the loss and confides in mum Liz about his fears, insisting it's a punishment for his recent lies.
Viewers will see Michelle and husband Steve McDonald, played by Simon Gregson, 42, struggle with the loss.
- Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights on IT
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