Waterloo Rd Star Says Having MS Should Not Be The End Of The World, UK

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 22 Apr 2007 - 8:00 PDT

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On 12 April viewers of popular BBC school staffroom drama Waterloo Road saw the character Lorna - who had previously been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) - commit suicide.

Camilla Power, who plays Lorna, explained her thoughts on why the character came to make such a drastic decision.

She said: "I just hope in some way people will realise she's being overdramatic and it's not the end of the world to have MS. She's a big control freak, so the idea of not being in control and in a balanced state of mind tips her over the edge."

Camilla said fans of Waterloo Road who had followed Lorna through both series of the show, would realise why scriptwriters had chosen to kill off the character.

She added that although Lorna's condition played a part in the decision to take her own life, it was part of an overall depressed state of mind brought about by many aspects of her life.

"There is a steady core of people who follow the character of Lorna and the people who will be watching it will know her and know she's not quite right. Those who know Lorna as a character will understand it makes sense," Camilla added.

Although in the programme the diagnosis time was unusually swift to fit the storyline, the MS Society worked with the scriptwriters at programme-maker Shed Productions to ensure information on MS was at hand prior to recording.

However, following this initial meeting some months ago, the Society had no further input or control over the portrayal of the character, the storyline and her suicide.

The MS Society Helpline offered emotional support and information to callers affected by the storyline.

If you have been affected by the programme and would like to talk to someone, or if you need more information about any aspect of multiple sclerosis, contact the MS Society freephone Helpline on 0808 800 8000.

If you have comments you would like to make about the programme, contact BBC Points of View, email pov@bbc.co.uk or write to: POV, BBC Birmingham, The Mailbox, Birmingham B1 1RF.

-- Waterloo Road

www.mssociety.org.uk

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