CORONATION Street is to air an episode dedicated to the late Rob Burrow - showing viewers the perspective of a motor neurone disease (MND) sufferer.

Former England rugby league international Rob died on June 2 at the age of 41 after a lengthy battle with MND.

In the episode, Paul Foreman, played by Peter Ash, will be taken on a day out by his husband Billy Mayhew, played by Daniel Brocklebank, to visit the church where they married and enjoy time with family and friends.

Viewers will be able to hear Paul's innermost thoughts, in a voiceover from Peter, after he wakes from a dream to discover his speech has drastically deteriorated.

MND can have an affect on speech and is an uncommon condition affecting the brain and nerves, causing weakness that gets worse over time, according to the NHS website.

Peter, 39, said: "I feel incredibly proud to have worked on this episode.

"From the moment I read the script I knew it was going to be something really special (mostly because I couldn’t stop crying).

"I loved being able to record Paul's inner thoughts, showing us the mind is still 100 per cent, even with MND.

"I hope the audience enjoys it, as everyone involved gave their all."

Daniel, 44, is an ambassador for charity MND Association and lost his grandfather to the condition.

He said: "There were times I burst into tears on set during the filming of this episode.

"There was one day I got in the car after work, and I just wept.

"Pete and I have been living in an emotional state for a while now with this storyline, and obviously because we have played it out in real time.

"Seeing Pete in that condition is so emotional to play.

"Pete's performance and his attention to detail has been incredible.

"I'm hoping that he wins all the awards - he deserves it so much."

Producer Verity MacLeod added: "Paul's MND has been such an important, powerful story and this episode is one of the real pinnacle moments in Paul's journey.

"Coronation Street has never done anything like this before - it is extraordinary, heart-breaking, funny and beautiful.

"It is must-see television at its best."

The episode will air on ITV at 8pm this Friday.