Gail Platt To Leave Coronation Street After 50 Years

Actress Helen Worth, known for playing Gail Platt on Coronation Street, is to leave the British soap after 50 years.

Worth who first appeared on the show on 29 July 1974, has confirmed that she will leave the cobbles at the end of the year following a "major storyline for the Platt family".

The actress who is to begin filming her exit story next month, has released this statement. 

"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", Worth said. "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", she added. "The past 50 years have flown by and I don't think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet". 

Gail has featured in some of Corrie's most controversial and high profile storylines, including her marriage to cold blooded murderer Richard Hillman played by Brian Capron from 2000 to 2002.

Such storylines also involved her family and a number of relationships, including her sons Nick Tilsley (Ben Price), and David Platt (Jack P Shepherd), as well as her daughter Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien), her mother Audrey Robers played by Sue Nicholls and her father Ted Page (Michael Byrne). 

Originally known as Gail Potter when she joined the cast 50 years ago, she went on to become Tilsley, Platt, Hillman, McIntyre and Rodwell. 

Overall Gail was married six times, having been married to Brian Tilsley twice on the show, making her the most married female character on the show, (one fewer than male character Steve McDonald played by Simon Gregson).