Helen Worth bids farewell to Coronation Street after 50 years

Veteran actress Helen Worth has announced her departure from ITV's long-running soap, Coronation Street, after an impressive 50-year tenure. Worth, who has portrayed the character of Gail Platt since 1974, will exit the show following a major storyline centered around the Platt family, with filming scheduled for next month.

Worth reflected on her departure, stating, "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."

During her time on Coronation Street, Worth's character has been involved in numerous significant storylines. One of the most memorable arcs included her daughter Sarah's teenage pregnancy in 1999. Gail Platt also experienced tumultuous relationships, including her marriage to serial killer Richard Hillman. Worth expressed her gratitude for her time on the show, saying, "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."

Executive Producer Iain Macleod praised Worth's contributions, noting, "The words ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ get used a lot these days, but they genuinely do apply to Gail and to Helen Worth. 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."

Throughout her five-decade career on the soap, Worth has appeared in 4,453 episodes, approaching the record held by William Roache, who has made 4,773 appearances as Ken Barlow since the show's inception in 1960. Worth's character also holds the record as the series' most-married female character, having wed six times.

Co-star Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Webster, paid tribute to Worth, saying, "She really is a Corrie legend. Helen was there before I was there and she was a guiding light. She’s a wonderful actress."

Worth, who was awarded an MBE for services to drama last year, concluded her remarks on her departure with a sense of nostalgia, stating, "The past 50 years have flown by and I don't think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet."

Filming for Worth's final scenes will begin next month, marking the end of an era for one of Coronation Street's most beloved characters.