CORONATION Street icon Helen Worth is returning to the ITV soap as Gail Platt after months away.
Earlier this year Helen, 73, announced that she has decided to leave her role as Gail Platt after 50 years on the soap.
Helen first appeared on the show in 1974, half a century ago, and is one of the soap’s longest-serving characters.
She officially left Weatherfield earlier this year when she decided to return to Thailand for an extended break.
However, that was not the last soap fans have seen of Gail, as fans have discovered that she’s set to return to the cobbles this week.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, to discuss her comeback last week, one excited fan wrote: “Gail is actually in next week’s cast list.”
“Been a long time coming,” another soap fan said of her return.
While a third commented: “About time! Be terrible if her exit story didn’t actually have any scenes with her.”
But while Corrie fans are thrilled to see star Helen return to ITV, it may not be for long as it seems the actress is simply returning so her character can have a proper exit storyline that does her 50-year tenure on the soap justice.
Trying to explain the timing of her return after such a long absence, one fan theorised: “I’ve a feeling she may have been out of contract since the start of the year (which is apparently when she told the bosses she wanted to go). Hence the on screen absence. But as scripts for the following 6 months were already planned, her exit story couldn’t really start until now.”
“Yes, it does feel a bit like a guest stint to write her out,” agreed another fan.”
A third said: “Yes, I think so too. The timeline would make sense, if she’d decided not to renew her contract rather late in the day. But was happy to return for an exit storyline as soon as it was convenient. No hasty rewrites required, but no need for her to appear during the interim period.”
Bosses at Corrie previously assured fans that Gail will have a ‘happy ending’ after many years of drama.
Coronation Street’s Executive Producer Iain MacLeod confirmed to the Daily Star’s Hot TV column that; “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 viewers want to see?
“Gail has had a hard life. She had a difficult childhood and some disastrous marriages. So, we thought what viewers really want is a happy ending for her, so that’s what we’re doing.”
By Carl Greenwood, Soaps Editor
Actress Helen made her first appearance on the cobbles in 1973 as Gail Potter – and has lived most of her life on them and what a life it’s been.
Beloved by millions through the last half a century, Helen created one of the most iconic characters on British television.
Behind only Ken Barlow co-star Bill Roache, Helen has appeared in more episodes of a television series than anyone else.
She’s had more weddings – and surnames – than almost anyone else and buried multiple husbands – all but one ended up dead.
Three kids, four grandkids and a serial killer husband (and brother) – Gail has been at the forefront of Corrie for decades.
She’s been imprisoned, framed for murder, almost murdered multiple times, she’s survived serial killers, her own children and a concerning addiction to olives.
Not to mention countless street brawls with frenemy Eileen Grimshaw.
But through it all she’s remained a Corrie icon and her exit will leave a colossal hole on the cobbles – much bigger than the sinkhole that opened up in her back garden.
New Coronation Street boss Kate Brooks has her work cut out to give Helen and Gail the epic goodbye she deserves.
Details of her exit are still currently under wraps, but fans can rule out a romantic reunion between Gail and her ex-husband Martin Platt (Sean Wilson).
Sean was set to return to the soap to be part of the exit storyline, but has reportedly had to “step down for personal reasons.”
Helen’s final scenes for the soap are expected to air later this year.
