Coronation Street Summer Spellman
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Coronation Street’s Summer Spellman battles eating disorder and life-threatening condition

The studious sixth-former is aiming for a place at a top uni - but are her dreams about to shatter?

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Summer Spellman in Coronation Street is the studious, sweet-natured adopted daughter of vicar Billy Mayhew and his wayward ex Todd Grimshaw.

But things haven’t been easy for Summer of late as she as she has developed an eating disorder.

Despite Billy doing all he can to help her through it, the situation is turning more and more serious as she hides just how bad things have got.

The troubled teen also has a life-threatening condition if she doesn’t manage her food intake correctly, so it’s looking pretty scary for her right now. Is Summer going to die?

Summer’s been through a lot in her time on the Street (Credit: ITV)

Read more: Complete Coronation Street cast list 2022 – meet them all here!

Who plays Summer Spellman in Coronation Street?

Summer Spellman in Coronation Street is played by actress Harriet Bibby. She took on the role in 2020 after starting her career with roles in Doctors and Brassic.

Harriet took over from Matilda Freeman, who’d played Summer since her arrival in the Street back in 2017.

Matilda decided to leave the role to pursue other opportunities.

She said: “After three and a half lovely years I felt it was time for a change and I’m excited to be starting that next chapter with a new role.”

Summer spent a lot of time with Corrie killer Pat Phelan (Credit: ITV)

How did Summer arrive in Weatherfield?

Summer had been adopted as a young child by a man named Drew Spellman, who was Billy’s ex-boyfriend.

When Drew found out he was dying, he asked Billy to adopt Summer but Billy said no and when Drew died she went to live with her strict grandparents.

But Billy hit it off with the youngster and changed his mind when he found out how her homophobic grandmother was treating the teenager.

With Todd’s support, Billy got guardianship of Summer.

Summer and Billy are close (Credit: ITV)

Life with Billy and Todd

Summer’s been through a lot since she came to live with Billy. She helped the vicar through his painkiller addiction and when he turned to heroin.

She also supported him when Todd did a runner – initially taking Summer with him, though later he allowed Summer to ‘escape’ and return to Weatherfield.

Billy’s also been by Summer’s side while she deals with the aftermath of Seb Franklin’s brutal murder at the hands of Corey Brent and Kelly Neelan.

Summer almost died when she collapsed (Credit: ITV)

What health condition does Summer have?

Last, Summer began struggling at school. She was being forgetful and not coping with her schoolwork, despite being a diligent student.

She was angry and lethargic and when she collapsed, Billy and Todd were terrified.

Summer was diagnosed with diabetes and though she initially rebelled against her health issues, she began to learn how to cope.

Who is Summer dating?

Summer got together with Aadi Alahan, but things didn’t work out after he accused her of copying her personal statement for uni. Summer ended things with him, but it was really all because she had feelings for someone else…

She had developed a crush on her teacher Daniel Osbourne. As he helped her work to achieve her dreams of attending Oxford, Summer was smitten.

Daniel was oblivious and dating Daisy Midgeley, but Summer convinced herself they were meant to be.

It all came crashing down when Max Turner fell for Summer and believing Daniel to be taking advantage of her, outed their ‘relationship’ at the school’s Ice Ball. He even punched Daniel!

Humiliated Summer was forced to confess her feelings, but insisted nothing had happened and Daniel had not behaved inappropriately. She was also mortified to find out Daniel had been sneaking around with Daisy.

Coronation Street Dec 13 Billy and Paul take Summer to the Bistro
Summer can’t handle the guilt after eating a burger (Credit: ITV)

Read more: Coronation Street spoilers: Summer’s eating disorder is exposed

Summer’s eating disorder

As Summer began obsessively comparing herself to Daisy and eyeing the Rovers’ barmaid’s social media snaps as something to work towards, thinks took a dark turn.

Taking insulin to manage her diabetes caused Summer to put on a bit of weight and horrified she started to binge and then make herself sick.

Amy Barlow caught her being sick last month, but Summer begged her not to say anything and insisted it was a one-off.

However, Summer then suffered a hypo when her blood sugar dropped due to her eating habits.

The police arrested her after thinking she was drunk, but PC Craig came to the rescue and made sure she got help.

Billy found out everything and rounded up the troops – Todd, Paul and Aadi – to keep an eye on Summer.

But it looks like those eyes aren’t watching hard enough…

Summer Spellman is having a hypo and has forgotten her diabetic kit
Summer’s made a very dangerous move (Credit: ITV)

Does Summer die in Coronation Street?

After agreeing to attend a diabetes support group, Summer fell for fellow sufferer, Aaron.

Things were going well, but when she confessed her eating disorder to him, he decided they should only meet during their group sessions.

Heartbroken again, Summer turned back to binge eating.

Last night (Wednesday May 26) Summer made a risky move by eating two bags of crisps and washing her insulin down the sink.

When she realised her blood sugar had risen far too high, she started to panic.

By Friday (May 27) however, the situation is dire.

She once again gets rid of her insulin down the sink before setting off for her exam.

Things quickly take a turn when her vision becomes blurred and she frantically searches for her diabetic kit. It turns out she’s left it at home.

An ambulance is called.

Summer is tearful as she tells Aadi her blood sugar is sky high, but will she be okay? Is Summer going to die?

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Coronation Street usually airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.

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Kerry Barrett
Freelance Soap Writer