Corrie legend Helen Worth’s leaving do ‘full of tears’ and cheeky nod to Gail Platt
Coronation Street icon Helen Worth wore a cheeky T-shirt to her leaving do for the soap.
The cobbles legend has played Gail Platt for 50 years and is set to leave the soap in emotional scenes airing by the end of the year. Helen was persuaded to have a proper soap send off with her beloved co-stars – and she definitely came dressed appropriately.
The actress turned up in a T-shirt covered in the names of Gail’s five former husbands – Brian Tilsley, Martin Platt, Richard Hillman, Joe McIntyre and Michael Rodwell. The stunt left the cast and crew in stitches.
Her on-screen son Jack P Shepherd, who plays David Platt, told the On The Sofa podcast: “I thought that was a nice touch, that was quite amusing. Then she gave a little speech and thanked everybody and said what a marvellous time she’d had and she’s going to miss everybody — there were lots of tears.
“She didn’t want a fanfare. So we kind of convinced her to do something because it was for everybody.”
Jack revealed they later enjoyed a farewell dinner at a Manchester restaurant, surrounded by her soap family. Ben Price, who plays Gail’s other on-screen son Nick Tilsely, admitted they got a private room to avoid too much fan chaos during the meal.
He said: “You don’t want to make too much of it, but if you don’t have a private room, you’ve got a whole table of The Platts. It’s just awkward. It’s The Platts Christmas do and it just stops a place. It was a really personal moment for us all. I think she had a really good send-off. We’ll miss her.”
Announcing her exit earlier this year, she 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.”
