The Max Turner actor spoke about his co-star’s exit for the first time with the MEN at the Radio Times Soap Awards

Coronation Street star Paddy Bever has spoken of his co-star Helen Worth’s ‘radical kindness’ as he spoke about her exit from the show for the first time. The actor plays Max Turner in the ITV soap, the stepson of Gail Platt’s son David.

He has been in the sole custody of the hairdresser since his mother Kylie’s death in 2016 and has lived with David, Gail, stepmum Shona Platt and younger sister Lily at No.8 Coronation Street ever since.

But as viewers learned last month, Gail will soon be waving goodbye to her family and to Weatherfield as she leaves after more than five decades on the famous street.

The fan-favourite character will be making her departure from Weatherfield before the end of 2024 having been a mainstay on the show since Helen, 73, made her debut in 1974. She announced her plans to leave, as she celebrates 50 years in the long-running soap, in June.

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.”

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.”

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News on the red carpet at the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards, which took place on Saturday night (July 13) at Manchester’s iconic Midland Hotel, Paddy spoke about Helen and her upcoming exit for the first time.

He told us: “I think Helen is the kindest soul. I think, genuinely, she has a radical kindness about her and she’s one of the loveliest people I have ever met and always makes me feel really calm and safe. [I’m] gutted to be losing Helen but at the same time, I’m so pleased for her that she’s accomplished so much. So yeah, it’s bittersweet.”

It comes as bosses have revealed Platt matriarch 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. But her exit will leave a trail of “explosive drama” for the rest of her family.

ITV’s executive producer for continuing drama Iain MacLeod told Daily Star’s Hot TV column: “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