Coronation Street icon quits ITV soap after 50 years
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Helen Worth, who starred in Coronation Street for 50 years, has decided to leave the soap.
Worth has portrayed the character of Gail Platt on the popular ITV show for more than four decades. She is set to bid farewell to the series in the upcoming episodes, which are said to revolve around an important plotline concerning the Platt family. The filming of these scenes is scheduled to take place in the following month.
Discussing her exit, Worth expressed, “I felt like this was the ideal moment to bid farewell to the show, especially after being part of it for 50 amazing years on the most remarkable street in the world. I arrived at this conclusion early on in the year and had a conversation with the producers, who were exceptional and sympathetic.”
"I feel extremely fortunate to have received outstanding scripts consistently, every week. Moreover, I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with amazing actors, directors, and a talented crew."
The actor from Corrie, who portrays one of the most enduring characters in TV history, was set to commemorate their 50th year on the show next month, having been part of it for more than 50 years.
Recently, on Tuesday the 4th of June, it was announced that Gail was almost surpassing the number of appearances made by veteran Bill Roache who plays Ken Barlow on the popular show. Gail has managed to appear on the show a whopping 4,453 times since she joined in July of 1974. In comparison, Roache, who is now 92 years old, has made a total of 4,773 appearances as Ken since the very first episode of Coronation Street aired on the 9th of December 1960.
Gail, playing the character in the series, has a notable reputation for being the female character who has been married the most, with a total of six marriages, which is only one short of Steve McDonald's (played by Simon Gregson) record. She is remembered for her role in one of the most contentious storylines of the show, where her daughter Sarah, portrayed by Tina O'Brien, became pregnant at the early age of 13 back in 1999.
There are other storylines in which the character is involved in a few murders. For instance, she marries a serial killer named Richard Hillman (played by Brian Capron), ends up behind bars for killing her husband Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale), and keeps her son David Platt trapped in a cellar located in a Bistro after realizing that he intends to murder the person responsible for his late wife Kylie's death.
The numerous fights between her and Eileen Grimshaw, who is like both a friend and an enemy, will always be remembered in the soap opera world.
Worth was given an MBE last year due to his contributions to drama. He was bestowed the award by Prince William, and he expressed his gratitude by saying, "It's just amazing. Getting an MBE is a really important experience."
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After hearing about the star's departure from the program, devotees took to X/Twitter to express their opinions and labeled it as the conclusion of a significant chapter.
Sally Dynevor, known for her role as Sally Webster in the popular TV show Coronation Street, was in the middle of being interviewed on the television program Loose Women when news of something important interrupted the conversation.
The person who is 61 years old gave praise to the celebrity by saying, "She is truly an icon of the show. Helen called me yesterday but I thought the news would only be announced on Friday. I'll definitely feel her absence. Helen's been around longer than me and has been a great source of inspiration. She's an exceptional actress."
The person in charge of production, Iain Macleod, expressed that the terms "legend" and "icon" are frequently used today, but they truly describe Gail and Helen Worth. However, due to her modesty, he anticipates that Helen will not appreciate his compliments! Gail has been a significant character on Coronation Street for fifty years under Helen's portrayal, and is known for being at the forefront of many unforgettable plotlines, oftentimes due to her dismal choices in selecting husbands.
Gail's unfortunate union with Richard Hillman was a significant event in soap opera history and solidified her position as one of the iconic characters in Coronation Street. Being the head of the Platt family, her endearing yet challenging relationships with her children and vibrant mother Audrey epitomize the show's essence. The complexities of family dynamics are brought to life expertly by Helen's impressive acting skills, along with her on-screen family members.
Gail has provided us with numerous hours of amusement, but it is important to acknowledge that Helen is an accomplished expert and a genuinely kind individual. All those involved with the program will feel her absence, just as much as the audience will miss seeing her on their televisions. We send her our best wishes for her future endeavors.
You can catch Coronation Street on ITV1 or watch it on ITVX.
