Hollyoaks’ Patrick Blake is to become the first character in a UK soap to be shown living with motor neurone disease (MND).

Viewers know the villainous headmaster, played by Jeremy Sheffield, is hiding something after he suffered a recent fall.

But on Monday April 6, fans of the Channel 4 soap will see Patrick confessing his diagnosis to his secretary, Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter), with whom he recently shared a kiss.

Patrick is determined to keep his MND a secret from estranged wife, Maxine Minniver (Nikki Sanderson) in a bid to win full custody of their baby daughter.

Patrick has a fall a work (Lime Pictures)
Theresa was with Patrick when he fell (Lime Pictures)

Jeremy said: “I’m honoured to have been involved in some of the show’s biggest storylines over the last couple of years. I hope Patrick’s upcoming journey will captivate people’s hearts and minds.

“Patrick recognises his symptoms of MND but he is in denial, having seen his father deteriorate and die of the same illness, he is unable and unwilling to fully accept the truth.

“He endeavours to keep his diagnosis secret, as admitting the truth could jeopardise his chance of getting full custody of his beloved baby daughter, Minnie. For Patrick the idea of not being in control, of relinquishing his power is unthinkable and it will be interesting to see how the man who needs to control everything and everyone in his life copes with something that he cannot influence.

“Working with the Motor Neurone Disease Association has proved invaluable for researching this role.”

Jeremy plays Hollyoaks villain Patrick Blake (Lime Pictures)
Jeremy plays Hollyoaks villain Patrick Blake (Lime Pictures)

MND is a fatal, rapidly progressive disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, and has no cure. As it attacks the nerves, muscles refuse to work and sufferers are left locked in the bodies, unable to move, talk, and eventually even breathe on their own.

Professor Stephen Hawking, whose life was recently depicted in the film The Theory Of Everything starring Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne, has MND.

Sally Light, Chief Executive of the MND Association, said: “I know of a family that sadly has experience of losing someone to MND and who has already recognised the subtle symptoms in Patrick as MND, which shows just how realistic Jeremy’s portrayal is.

“Hollyoaks is well-known for successfully tackling issue-led storylines and we have every faith that Patrick’s battle against MND will be no exception. We were delighted to be approached to help and staff from our specialist MND Care Clinic in Oxford are supporting the writers and actors.”