Helen Worth’s final scenes in Coronation Street have been thrown into uncertainty following Sean Wilson’s sacking from the ITV soap.
The 59-year-old actor was due to reprise his role as Martin Platt in October as part of his ex-wife Gail’s exit, but sources say his entire storyline has been scrapped following her sudden departure.
As a result, Gail’s exit (which Helen announced in June after an incredible 50 years) is now in jeopardy, with her final scenes reportedly undergoing frantic rewrites.
A representative for the soap said the actor left “for personal reasons” and that none of Sean’s scenes will be broadcast.
Meanwhile, Coronation Street fans fear Gail could be “killed off” now that Martin is no longer part of her departure plan.
Helen Worth’s final scenes in Coronation Street have been thrown into uncertainty following Sean Wilson’s sacking from the ITV soap (Helen pictured as Gail with co-star Les Dennis)
The actor was set to reprise his role as Martin Platt in October as part of his ex-wife Gail’s exit, but sources say his entire storyline has been scrapped following her sudden departure.
Sean had returned to Corrie in July to film his first scenes, and had already recorded episodes with a host of the soap’s stars.
According The sunSean’s departure came as a huge shock and the cast was unaware of the reason for his departure.
A source said: “It has come as a complete and utter shock to everyone, and his sudden exit has shocked everyone connected with Corrie. Sean was delighted with his time on the show and was very popular on set.
‘He had filmed scenes with a large cast, but was suddenly summoned to the head office and then it was leaked that he would not be returning or that his scenes would be broadcast, but he offered no explanation.
‘It’s clearly a blow for bosses, who now have to find a magical new happy ending for Helen, but they are confident they will succeed and deliver something wonderful for viewers.’
An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: “Sean Wilson has left filming for personal reasons.”
Sean’s agent told the publication: “Neither he nor I will be making any further comment or statement.”
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, devoted Corrie fans have expressed concern that show bosses may now decide to kill off Gail in the wake of the sudden change in storyline over her planned exit.
Gail’s exit, which Helen announced in June after an incredible 50 years, is now in jeopardy, with her final scenes reportedly being frantically rewritten.
Meanwhile, Coronation Street fans fear Gail could be “killed off” now that Martin is no longer part of her departure plan (Gail is pictured in 2008 in a hospital bed after being pushed down the stairs by her son David).
It’s clearly a blow for bosses, who now have to find a magical new happy ending for Helen, but they’re confident they’ll get it right and give viewers something wonderful (pictured in 2019).
They wrote: ‘Dear #Corrie producers… whatever you do, DO NOT kill Gail Platt. Sincerely, the public’; ‘I’m afraid you will now.’
“What’s going on at Corrie headquarters? Gail’s life is in danger. I repeat, Gail Platt’s life is in danger.”
“I’m so scared for Gail, I’m in a total panic right now”; “They better not kill Gail.”
‘I need breaking news coverage on the BBC because how are we supposed to sleep after being told that Gail’s exit is being rewritten?’
“I swear if they kill Gail…” “They’re going to kill Gail, aren’t they?”
‘Oh my God… It seems Helen went to the bosses and told them she didn’t want to carry on like this anymore and now I’m scared that she’s decided she wants Gail killed. I’m actually scared.’
Meanwhile, another person suggested that producers should re-hire Sean and cast a different actor.
They shared: ‘Wow! What’s going on at Corrie HQ? Things to watch now and next (big IE storyline coming up). They need to give Gail Platt (Helen) a big send-off after so many decades on the show. Will she be replaced? Are they bringing someone else in?’
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, devoted Corrie fans have expressed concern that show bosses may now decide to kill off Gail in the wake of the sudden change to her planned exit storyline.
Sean previously stated that it was great to be asked back to “contribute to Helen’s exit story”, and described his return to the character of Martin as “pulling on an old, comfy jumper from the back of the wardrobe”.
In June, Helen revealed she would be leaving the cobbles for good after 50 years – and show bosses had planned to do everything they could to get her to leave.
Sharing the news of her departure, Helen 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 beginning of the year and spoke to the producers, who were very kind and understanding.”
‘I’ve been really lucky to be given the most incredible scripts week after week and to have worked with fantastic actors and directors and a brilliant crew.’
‘The last 50 years have flown by and I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet that I’m leaving.’
A source told The Sun at the time that viewers should expect to see “plenty of twists and turns” but the writers want Gail’s story to end on a happy note.
However, what fate Gail will face after five decades in Weatherfield remains to be seen.
The actor was due to reprise his role as Martin Platt in October as part of his ex-wife Gail’s exit, but has now left the soap, with his bosses citing “personal reasons”.
Sean had returned to Corrie in July to film his first scenes, and had already recorded episodes with a host of the soap’s stars.
This comes after the actress, who is celebrating 50 years on the ITV show, made the difficult decision to leave her role as Gail Rodwell at the end of the year.
During her nearly 50 years on the soap, the character has had many iconic moments, including when she was nearly drowned by her murderous husband, Richard Hillman.
In her nearly 50-year run on the soap, Gail has been married five times, including to Brian Tilsey (Christopher Quinten), who was tragically stabbed to death, and to Martin Platt (Sean Wilson), one of the soap’s longest-running characters.
Helen has been at the centre of a series of explosive storylines, including the teenage pregnancy of her daughter Sarah (Tina O’Brien) and the death of her debt-ridden fourth husband, Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale), during a botched life insurance scheme.
One of Gail’s most iconic moments came when she appeared in a two-part episode with her husband Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) in 2003, after learning he was a serial killer.
The famous episode, which featured a number of one-liners, saw Richard confess to killing several people on the cobbles, including Maxine Peacock.
It all culminated in a famous episode in 2003, when Richard attempted to end his own life and that of the Platts by driving his car into a canal and sadly drowned while the rest of them were rescued.
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