Coronation Street's Claire King 'considers euthanasia' after devastating diagnosis

Coronation Street star Claire King has bravely revealed that she would consider euthanasia after she was diagnosed with a painful degenerative condition.

The actress, who plays Erica Holroyd in the ITV soap, suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, which has forced her to have her joints removed.

In a candid new interview, Claire has revealed that she fears she will become a “burden” on people if her condition worsens in the future, especially as she is divorced and has no children.

Speaking to The Mirror, Claire explained: “I do worry about when I’m older and becoming a burden on people around me.

“I can understand why people choose assisted dying – and it’s getting to the point where I would consider it myself.

“I’m not going to be hurting any offspring as I haven’t got any.

“Most of my family will be gone. It’s not a selfish thing. It’s a decision at a certain age, when you’re becoming a burden to others… I worry about not having children. I see how my brother and I try to help out our parents – I haven’t got that.”

Currently Claire, 54, and her younger brother Piers help to care for their disabled parents, with their father John suffering from multiple sclerosis and their mother, Angela, also suffering from rheumatoid arthritis as well as having severe back problems.

However, Claire insists that she is happy to help out, adding to the publication: “For the last two years [my dad has] been practically bedridden. He does get in his wheelchair but it’s difficult.

“We were all pitching in to look after my dad, and Mum. Now he has to have full-time carers in.

“I still find it kind of odd to call it ‘caring’. It was something we grew up doing – my brother and I didn’t know any different.”

Read more:

[ Coronation Street’s Daniel Brocklebank and Rob Mallard confirm romance ]

[ will.i.am records new music video on Coronation Street set ]

[ Coronation Street actor hits back after critics slam gay kiss ]