Dev Alahan’s Heart-Wrenching Breakdown: Coronation Street Tackles Mental Health Crisis in Powerful Asha Storyline
Manchester, 3 January 2026 – In one of the most emotional storylines in recent Coronation Street history, Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin) has been left devastated after discovering his daughter Asha’s (Tanisha Gorey) suicide attempt, prompting a raw breakdown that has reduced viewers to tears.
The harrowing plot, which unfolded across episodes in late 2025, saw trainee paramedic Asha spiral into depression following a series of traumatic events. The ordeal began with a vicious racist and physical attack by a patient named Naomi while on duty, compounded by the emotional fallout from her twin brother Aadi’s (Adam Hussain) departure to India earlier in the year.
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Asha’s struggles intensified as she faced pressure to withdraw her police complaint against Naomi after Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove) publicly exposed the attacker’s racism in a bid for justice. Feeling isolated and overwhelmed, Asha turned to alcohol and pills, leading to her being found unconscious in Victoria Gardens by passer-by Theo Silverton.
Dev received the shattering news via a phone call from Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney), who had raised the alarm. Harkishin, speaking about the scenes, revealed: “He gets a call from Amy, and suddenly his whole world turns upside down. That’s when he starts going into denial mode, saying, ‘No, this is going to be fine.’ I remember the emotion being that he just does not want to face that.”
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Rushed to hospital, Asha survived thanks to swift medical intervention. In a poignant bedside confession, she admitted to Dev that the overdose was intentional: “It all became too much and she took the booze and pills with the intention of killing herself.” Relieved yet heartbroken, Dev heard her add that she was glad it hadn’t worked.
Harkishin praised co-star Gorey for her “incredible” performance: “Instinctively, what she’s done is just wonderful. I think she’s amazing.” The actor emphasised the storyline’s importance in portraying ongoing mental health challenges: “When she comes home, we see her still suffering from depression. That’s important – to show it’s not always a quick fix. For people who are struggling, it shows it’s okay to ask for help again.”
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The plot built on Asha’s earlier traumas, including the loss of support from Aadi and the pressures of her paramedic training, which included panic attacks and racist abuse. Coronation Street collaborated with organisations like The Ambulance Staff Charity to ensure authentic depiction of frontline worker stresses.
Viewers have flooded social media with praise, many moved by Dev’s vulnerable breakdown and the sensitive handling of suicide and depression themes. As Asha begins her recovery at home – though still fragile – the Alahan family faces a long road ahead, with Dev grappling with guilt for not spotting the signs sooner.
This hard-hitting arc underscores the soap’s commitment to tackling real-life issues, reminding audiences that mental health recovery is ongoing. Coronation Street continues Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1, with episodes streaming on ITVX.
