Coronation Street's Gail Platt's memorable moments and forgotten storylines as she leaves Weatherfield after 50 years
09.06.2024 - 08:39
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Shockwaves went through the soap world this week when Helen Worth announced she'd be quitting Coronation Street after five decades on the famous cobbles. The actress, as many know, is famed for playing Gail Platt in the ITV soap having joined back in 1979.
Helen was 23 years old when she took on the role of Gail, who was 16, and is said to have been initially intended to be a very minor character, a friend of the more established character Tricia Hopkins, who was introduced as part of a new family.
The Hopkins family made little impact on the show, and, after they were written out, Gail went on to become one of the most popular and high-profile characters in the history of the series.
READ MORE: 'Missing' Coronation Street star seen with own 'killer' as they work out 'return'
READ MORE: Read more of our Coronation Street stories here
The Platt matriarch has over the years endured a number of failed romances, prison time, near-death experiences, drama with her children and recently found out her brother was a serial killer. But that'll all change this year when Gail leaves Weatherfield in what is being called an 'emotional' storyline.
Speaking of her upcoming exit, Helen, 74, has said: "This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world. I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding.
"I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew. The past 50 years have flown by and I don't think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet."
But,