Nikki Sanderson has hinted that the troubled relationship between Maxine Minniver and her estranged husband Patrick Blake could be about to change forever.
Tonight's episode of the Channel 4 soap sees Maxine finally discover that Patrick has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, while E4's first look airing will explore the aftermath as she learns the devastating implications of the incurable condition.
Patrick received his diagnosis in April, but he has deliberately kept Maxine in the dark in order to maintain the upper hand in their battle for custody of their daughter Minnie.
Despite the turbulent history between the former couple, upcoming episodes will see Maxine attempt to put their differences aside by trying her best to support Patrick.
Speaking on Channel 5's The Wright Stuff today (July 13), Sanderson explained: "Patrick has been recently diagnosed with motor neurone disease, which Maxine doesn't know but she's just about to find out that he's got it.
"She has no understanding of it, she doesn't know what it is. Once she has learned about the condition, she actually feels sorry for him and wants to help him for Minnie's sake."
Sanderson added that Jeremy Sheffield, who plays Patrick, has thoroughly researched the storyline.
She said: "I think that in any storyline that we do, research is key. With the domestic violence storyline last year, we did a lot of research. I went to women's refuges and spoke to women who had been affected by it.
"I must say, Jeremy has done so much research for this because obviously he's the one portraying the character who has motor neurone disease. He's spent hours on the internet watching videos, because obviously he wants to make it as real to life as possible.
"His character has been someone who's been vastly in control of every aspect of his own life and other people's lives. He's the man who wants to be in control of everything. It's the cruellest disease for Patrick because he's losing complete control of everything."
Patrick's storyline is an emotional exit plot for the scheming character, but producers have so far kept tight-lipped about when his final scenes will air.