Coronation Street legend signs ‘big money deal’ to stay and help steer show through ‘rocky patch’

Nearly 50 years since her first Coronation Street appearance, Helen Worth has signed for another milestone year on the cobbles.

The Gail Platt actress, 73, who has been part of the Corrie family since 1974, agreed to a new one-year contract, believed to be worth around £250,000.

Having appeared in over 3,000 episodes, Helen has been at the centre of many of the long-running serial drama’s biggest, controversial and most high-profile storylines.

A source told The Sun: ‘Helen is dedicated to the soap and is determined to help steer it through a rocky patch.

‘She is bonded to her character and is excited about her upcoming storylines for the year ahead. She still enjoys her work and seeing her castmates and crew every day.’

Helen’s character Gail, who remains very much a stalwart of the eponymous street, has been married six times, with one of her husbands being renowned cobbles serial killer Richard Hillman.

After murdering a number of street residents, Richard famously drove the Platt family, including Gail, into the canal in a bid to take their lives back in 2004, but the clan managed to survive the ordeal.

Richard, however, did not.

Last year actress Helen was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire and awarded the honour for her services to drama by The Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle.

Reacting to the news, the soap star said at the time: ‘It was a huge surprise to learn that I had been nominated for an MBE.

‘To be honoured for doing something I have enjoyed so much for so many years is truly wonderful, and I am particularly delighted to receive this award in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Year.’