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.

Laura wells up as friends pay an emotional tribute on tonight's final episode
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Laura wells up as friends pay an emotional tribute on tonight’s final episodeCredit: ITV
 

Amy and Roxy fight back tears as they raise a glass to Laura and her tireless campaigning
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Amy and Roxy fight back tears as they raise a glass to Laura and her tireless campaigningCredit: ITV
 

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.”

What is Usher Syndrome?

Usher syndrome is caused by changes in genes. It’s an inherited genetic disease, which means these changed genes get passed down from parents to children.

Usher syndrome affects both hearing and vision in young children, requiring them to wear hearing aids throughout their lives, and face possibly losing their sight.

The genetic disease is present from birth and Usher Syndrome comes in three types, depending on the severity of the disease and how soon hearing and sight is lost.

Symptoms:

Hearing loss

Vision loss

Balance problems

Speech difficulties

Is there a cure?

There is currently no cure for Usher syndrome.

Treatment focuses on helping the patient lead a normal life. This could include the use of hearing aid.

Laura and her partner at an awards bash a few years back
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Laura and her partner at an awards bash a few years backCredit: Splash

Laura and Mark met on set of ITV Emmerdale and got together while they worked on the soap
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Laura and Mark met on set of ITV Emmerdale and got together while they worked on the soapCredit: ITV Press Handout

They welcomed their son Jesse in 2021 and their daughter Ronnie a year later
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They welcomed their son Jesse in 2021 and their daughter Ronnie a year laterCredit: @laura_norts/Instagram