The fan-favourite character, played by Helen Worth, will be making her departure from Weatherfield before the end of 2024
Coronation Street bosses have confirmed Gail Platt’s fate when she leaves the programme later this year. Actress Helen Worth announced the ‘difficult’ decision to leave the ITV soap last month as she celebrates 50 years on the programme
The fan-favourite character will be making her departure from Weatherfield before the end of 2024, after having been a mainstay on the show since her 1974 debut.
In a statement, Helen, 73, 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. The past 50 years have flown by and I don’t think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.”
Show chiefs have now revealed Gail will be given a “happy ending” when she leaves the cobbled streets of Weatherfield behind – so Corrie fans need not fear she’s being killed off.
According to the Daily Star’s Hot TV column, ITV’s executive producer for continuing drama, Iain MacLeod said: “Gail won’t die. It didn’t feel like killing her off would be right.” Gail’s exit is a brilliant story. I thought, ‘What do the viewers want to see?’”
He added: “Gail has had a hard life. She had a difficult childhood and she disastrous marriages. So, we though what viewers really want is a happy ending for her, so that what we’re doing.”
The soap boss said Helen – who is due to start filming her final scenes in the coming weeks – had given the exit storyline her seal of approval. He continued: “Helen loves the storyline.
“Recently, she described it by saying, ‘It’s the perfect ending for Gail’, so I can sleep soundly at night. You don’t want to inflict an ending on someone after 50 years that they’re not happy with.”
Iain teased the character’s departure from Weatherfield will send a major shockwave through her family, including daughter Sarah Barlow, played by Tina O’Brien, and son David Platt, portrayed by Jack P. Shepherd.
He explained: “Gail’s happy ending will be part of loads of other drama for the rest of the Platt family. It will be a catalyst for some explosive drama with betrayals and twists. Her departure will leave something in its wake.”
