The heartbreaking moment Emmerdale’s Roxy and Amy break down in tears in emotional tribute to co-star
The Newcastle-born star hosted a charity ball last year to help raise the profile of her children's condition
EMMERDALE stars Amy Walsh and Roxy Shahidi have paid an emotional tribute to their colleague Laura Norton, for her tireless campaigning on behalf of her two children.
The Newcastle-born star, 40 and her partner and former co-star Mark Jordon, 58, welcomed their children, a boy Jesse in 2021 and a girl, Robbie in 2022 respectively.
Both children are affected by Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes hearing and sightloss.
In tonight’s finale episode of ITV’s Drama Queens, the actresses raise a toast to Laura and Mark, who formerly played Daz Spencer on the soap.
At a formal dinner in the presence of their co-stars, Amy and Roxy stand up to make a speech. Amy Walsh who plays Tracy Robinson in the soap says:
“We wanted to congratulate you two, for the amazing work you’ve done. You’re an inspiration to everyone around this table. But the most important people who you’re an inspiration to is your two babies.
We’re so proud of the work you’ve done, we’re with you every step of the way and we’ll do everything we can to help you.”
Then Roxy adds: “There are things that wouldn’t have happened if you two hadn’t been brave enough to stand up, own it publicly, dealing with your own emotions and still put yourself out there to try and help others.”
A tearful Laura then says, “We definitely couldn’t have achieved half the stuff we have without you, that’s why we’re here now, celebrating the fact that you’re helping the cause. We’ve got amazing friends and family.”
Drama Queens is the new ITVBE reality show that follows the real lives of nine of the best known faces in soap, including former Corrie star and Strictly winner Ellie Leach, Laura Norton and Amy Walsh.
Speaking to Hello Magazine, the couple revealed that they had a feeling that something wasn’t right with their son Jesse.
Laura said: “My intuition told me that there was a serious problem and I was in tears at the thought of it.”
The family then underwent tests where it was revealed that both parents carried the gene which causes the incurable condition.
Laura said: “Knowing that we’d passed this on to our son was heartbreaking.
“To watch our little boy enjoy the world around him yet know so much will be taken from him, was painful.”
Usher Syndrome comes in three types, depending on the severity of the disease and how soon hearing and sight is lost.
After initially choosing to keep their plight underwraps, the couple have now thrown themselves into raising awareness of the condition.
Last year they hosted a glittering charity gala attended by some of soaps biggest stars to help raise money to fund clinical trials for the little known disease.
An insider said: “Laura and Mark are really passionate about getting the word out and helping others who have children in the same situation.
“It was a real shock for them when they found out but they really have taken everything in their stride and are doing some amazing work.”
