The British Heart Foundation has partnered with ITV1 soap Coronation Street to raise awareness of heart disease in women.

In tonight’s episode long-standing 'Corrie' character Audrey Roberts will suffer a heart attack and in the advert breaks three different BHF adverts for its Heart Helpline will be shown. In addition nurses will be taking phone calls after the programme and the charity will be active on social media platforms to answer questions.

Nick Radmore, head of marketing at BHF said: “Heart disease is the single biggest killer of women in the UK but many don’t realise this. Working with ITV provides an excellent and innovative opportunity to reach millions of viewers across the UK with a life-saving message. We’re hoping that people will be moved by Audrey’s story and give our heart nurses a call to chat about their own real-life concerns.”

ITV let the charity know about the upcoming storyline as they had worked together in 2008 on an advert featuring Stephen Berkoff for the Watch Your Own Heart Attack campaign.

As part of the partnership BHF was awarded the licensing rights to use the Coronation Street logo and images for three months in its shops and online. The BHF website currently features a Coronation Street-themed quiz and a video offering health advice from the soap’s set.