CORONATION Street fans have been left shocked to discover Gail Platt and Jesse Chadwick’s real life age gap.
The character – played by John Thomson – recently made his huge return to the ITV soap as Helen Worth’s exit storyline kicked off.
After a 50-year tenure on the long-running serial drama, the Gail Platt actress is due to bid farewell to the cobbles.
But it seems she may have a new love interest in the form of Jesse, much to the chagrin of Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver).
He first appeared on Coronation Street back in 2008 before becoming one of the main residents the following year.
Over a decade later he has made a return, after it was revealed the pair had a holiday fling in Thailand.
But soap fans couldn’t help but wonder about the age of the supposedly loved-up duo as they took to social media.
One viewer wrote on Facebook: “Just wondering what’s the age difference between Jesse and Gail.”
Users on the Corrie fan page were utterly blindsided when one fan posted the real ages of the actors.
They wrote: “In real life, Gail is 73. Jesse is 55. So 18 years difference.”
Shockwaves then rippled through the fan base as they flocked to the platform in pure disbelief.
“Wow I can’t believe that,” wrote a third fan.
As a fourth added: “No way is she 73.”
Viewers watched as Jesse worried about Gail when he unceremoniously showed up in Weatherfield with barely a warning.
He thought she might not be able to cope after her granddaughter Bethany (Lucy Fallon) underwent a disastrous overseas liposuction procedure.
Soaring medical costs meant that Gail had to take out a loan so Bethany could return from Turkey after the botched cosmetic surgery.
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.
Coronation Street is available to watch on ITV1 and stream on ITVX.
