ITV Coronation Street's Gail Platt actress Helen Worth quits soap after 50 years

Coronation Street's Helen Worth is due to step back from her role as Gail Platt, after an impressive 50 years on the cobbles.

News broke that the long-standing star is poised to depart from her beloved character, with soap bosses hinting at an "emotional" and fitting farewell. The plotline responsible for Gail's farewell is yet to be confirmed, sparking speculation that the legendary character might be killed off.

Helen plans to cap off her half a century stint on the show with a "major storyline" later this year, although filming for said storyline hasn't even begun. Sally Dynevor, co-star to Helen, responded shocked to the news on Loose Women.

Sally expressed her sentiments on Loose Women, saying: "She really is a Corrie legend. Helen phoned me yesterday but I didn't think it was going to break until Friday. I'm gonna miss her so much. Helen was there before I was there and she was a guiding light. She's a wonderful actress."

In explaining her departure, Helen stated: "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", reports the Mirror.

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

Soap boss Iain MacLeod also offered his thoughts on Helen's departure but dropped no hints about Gail's final storyline on Coronation Street: "The words 'legend' and 'icon' get used a lot these days but they genuinely do apply to Gail and to Helen Worth. However, given her humility, I know Helen won't thank me for saying so! In Helen's hands, Gail has been a huge part of Coronation Street for five decades and at the centre of some of the most memorable storylines - often deriving from her catastrophically bad luck in choosing husbands!"

"Her ill-fated marriage to Richard Hillman was one of the most ground-breaking stories in soap history and cemented Gail's already established status as one of the Corrie greats. As the matriarch of the Platt clan, her affectionately prickly relationships with her kids and flighty mum Audrey epitomise what makes the show great: complicated family dynamics brought to life impeccably by Helen's dramatic and comedic chops, alongside those of her fictional clan.

"Gail has given us countless hours of entertainment but it should also be said that Helen herself is a consummate professional and a thoroughly good egg. Everyone connected to the show will miss having her around the place just as much as the viewers will miss having her on their screens and we wish her all the very best for the future."

Gail Platt, a stalwart of Weatherfield, has been a key figure in the soap for many years. She has been at the centre of numerous significant storylines and still has three children residing on the Cobbles - including Nick Tilsley, Sarah Barlow and David Platt.

Gail is the offspring of Audrey Roberts, and her half-sibling is Stephen Reid, who was revealed as a Corrie murderer just a few months ago. Over the years, Gail has tied the knot with several men from Weatherfield, including Brian Tilsley, Martin Platt, Richard Hillman, Joe McIntyre and Michael Rodwell.

Gail currently resides with David and his family at number 8, constantly meddling in her family's affairs. Whether it's poking her nose into Nick's business, keeping tabs on Sarah's latest crush, or getting embroiled in David's salon dramas, Gail is a cornerstone of Coronation Street.

It remains a mystery how she will bid farewell to the Cobbles.

In recent times, Gail faced a health scare when she collapsed and was swiftly taken to hospital, where it was revealed she had experienced a minor heart attack. Could this be her exit strategy - or will she depart blissfully into the sunset?

Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.