Yahoo News Coronation Street's Jack P Shepherd thought 'this is bad' as he reveals how Helen Worth told him of exit
Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd has revealed how he mistakenly thought Helen Worth's call to tell him about her planned exit from the soap was an accident as he opened up about finding out about her plans.
The actress, 73, announced earlier this year that she would be leaving after 50 years in the role of the matriarch of the Platt family, Gail. It was said at the time that her final scenes would air by the end of 2024 in an emotional goodbye to the iconic character.
Confirming the reason behind her exit, Helen said in a 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. I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding."
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She added: "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."
Now, Jack has been heard talking about how he discovered the news of Helen's plans to leave Corrie for the first time alongside on-screen brother Ben Price. They were both speaking on the podcast they co-host, On The Sofa, alongside castmate Colson Smith.
When asked about how he learnt of Helen's exit by Craig Tinker actor Colson, Jack, who is famed for playing Weatherfield's David Platt, explained: "It was maybe this time last year. It was about November time and she rang us and I thought, that’s a butt dial. So I blank it! I then got a text from Tina [O’Brien - who plays sister Sarah] saying, 'Helen’s trying to ring you!'
"So I thought this is bad. I phoned her and she said, hello, hello, I’ve told…she’d told Ben, she’d told Tina, so I instantly know what’s happening, she’s off! And she says, I’m going, I’ve decided to leave, and she feels as though she’s done her time. So I said great, fantastic, you know, you’ve earned it! I mean bloody hell, 50 years in any gig is a long time."
Ben, who is known for playing Nick Tilsley, then added: "I think she was more nervous about ringing us than she was about leaving!" Jack also revealed that Helen 'didn't even know' it had been 50 years that she'd spent on the famous cobbles and when he questioned if that was why she'd decided to leave, she told him she had 'no idea' it had been five decades.
Speaking about Helen leaving, Jack said: "It's all I've ever known. She's taught me so much from being a kid. Everything I know about how to act on a set is all down to her!" The trio also revealed details about Helen's leaving drinks which included speeches from Jack, Ben and Tina.
They revealed she was the last person to arrive, to the Coronation Street theme tune, at her leaving do which took place at Corrie's very own Bistro. "She came in wearing a T-shirt with a list of all her ex-husbands which was a nice touch," Jack revealed. Helen went on to give a speech which saw "tears" from those in attendance before Jack, Ben and Tina decided to give their speeches.
