Earlier this month, former Coronation Street actor Sean Wilson broke his silence on social media for the first time since his sudden departure from Coronation Street.
Sean, 59, was set to return to the ITV soap as Martin Platt for Gail’s (Helen Worth) departure storyline.
The scenes were set to play out over the autumn but in August, it was reported that the actor had ‘stepped down for personal reasons’.
Towards the end of last month, it was also said that a concern was raised about Sean during a chat with show bosses, something that occurred before he departed the soap.
‘What is really odd, is that they had started filming most of the scenes, obviously with other cast members and lots of crew on set, and everyone was expecting to shoot more with Sean before he left again as part of the Gail Platt exit storyline’, a source explained to the Mail.
‘So to suddenly be told, “We’re not continuing and we’re going to re shoot what we’ve already done with another actor” without any explanation is extremely unusual – unheard of. If nothing else, the soaps hate wasting time and money – so the situation must be serious enough for them to feel carrying on is untenable – but to not tell the colleagues directly involved what is going on has really got the rumour mill fired up on set.
They continued: ‘It seems to be something has been suggested to bosses about Sean after he’d already started. But nobody knows if it is a new thing or something from the past, it’s under total lock and key.’
Upon his return to socials, Sean shared a picture on X with the caption ‘Xx’, not revealing much about his time away.
A few days later, he followed it up with another snap this time of an illuminated LOVE sign display, writing: ‘Thanks for all the love xxx’.
New pictures also emerged of him taking a stroll just metres away from the soap’s 7.7 acre site in MediaCity, Salford. Wearing sunglasses and a large hat, it was clear that he wanted to remain unnoticed.
Following the news and updates surrounding Sean’s axing, it is said Cold Feet and Fast Show actor John Thomson, 55, will be reprising his previous role as Jesse Chadwick to fill Sean’s shoes.
Undoubtedly this means that the show is looking to reignite the feud between Eileen and Gail that has spanned over twenty years.
‘So many new departure storylines for Gail were mooted but they were set on a love interest one – which proved tricky as she buried five of her six ex-husbands. And the remaining living one, Martin, was obviously axed in real life’ a source told The Sun.
‘They wanted a recognisable name and plumped for John as his character was popular with viewers and a real blast from the past.’
‘Obviously his character, Jesse, had a doomed fling with Eileen, so they thought having him come back onto the cobbles and flirt with Eileen’s frenemy would be both funny and a fantastic final fling.
‘Of course it would also leave the door open for Gail’s return one day should she ever fancy a special cameo.’
