Yahoo News Coronation Street's Sean Wilson quits soap ahead of return for 'personal reasons'
Sean Wilson will not reprise his role as Martin Platt on Coronation Street as previously announced, ITV has confirmed.
The actor, who last appeared on the cobbles six years ago, was set to reappear on screen in October as part of the departure of Helen Worth as his ex-wife Gail Platt after 50 years on the ITV soap. “Sean Wilson has stepped down from filming for personal reasons,” a spokesperson for ITV confirmed on Friday.
An initial announcement said Wilson was to start filming scenes on July 24, with a storyline featuring his on-screen son David (Jack P Shepherd) shocked to find his father at the house and immediately suspicious about his return to their lives. Wilson previously said it was great to be invited to “contribute to Helen’s exit story”, describing his return to the character as “slipping on an old and comfortable jumper from the back of the wardrobe”.
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It is not yet known what Worth’s replacement exit storyline will be. Wilson played Martin for 20 years from 1985 to 2005. It has been claimed that Helen is gutted that Sean won't be part of her exit storyline, with a source saying: "It has come as a complete and utter shock to everyone - and his sudden exit has rocked everyone involved with Corrie.
"Sean was loving his time on the show, and he was very popular on set. He had filmed scenes with loads of the cast, but then suddenly he was summoned to head office, and later it filtered out he wouldn’t be returning or his scenes airing, but no explanation offered."
The insider added to The Sun: "Clearly it’s a major blow for bosses who must now find a new magical and happy ending for Helen - but they are confident they’ll pull it out of the bag, and give viewers something wonderful."
He last appeared in the soap in 2018 when Martin and his family emigrated to New Zealand and he paid one final visit to Weatherfield before his departure to make his peace with David, who was upset that his father was leaving the country.
It was announced in June that Worth is to leave the ITV show after starring as Gail for 50 years. She will go following a “major storyline for the Platt family”, ITV previously announced.
A representative for Wilson has been contacted for comment.
