The iconic Helen Worth of Coronation Street said this week that she would be leaving the show after 50 years as Gail Platt.
Fans of Coronation Street were devastated to learn this week that performer Helen Worth will be departing the ITV soap opera at the end of the year. The seventy-three-year-old, formerly known as Gail Platt, initially joined the cobbles in 1974 under the name Gail Rodwell.
The actress announced she had chosen to retire after a fruitful 50 years on the cobbles, just as the Weatherfield icon prepares to celebrate 50 years on the pavement. Fans of Helen Worth, though, may have good news as the actress may be making a fresh appearance on screen.
The soap diva is strongly favored to participate in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, so it appears that she might be moving from the cobblestones to the ballroom, based on the most recent odds provided by betideas.com.
With 8/1 chances to be in the lineup, it wouldn’t be the first time a Coronation Street star came on the BBC program because Ellie Leach, last year’s winner, had played the role of Faye Windass in the ITV serial opera.
“After half a century of entertaining the country’s TV screens as Gail Platt, Helen Worth has finally decided to end her career on Coronation Street,” spokeswoman Lee Astley stated.
If she decides to stay on television, her most likely next move would be to make an appearance in another soap opera, so she might not be done with them just yet.
Not only is Strictly Come Dancing one of her favorite shows, but she also really wants to try her hand at I’m A Celeb and Celebrity Big Brother.
“There’s also a good chance Worth will hang up her scripts for good (4/6) or go back to theater work (5/1) since she has nothing more to prove in show business.”
With her departure soon, may Helen try her hand at reality TV?
Regarding her departure, Helen acknowledged that, given that she will turn 50 years old next month, it seemed like the ideal moment to go.
But the character won’t be leaving just yet—ITV has revealed that Helen will say goodbye to Weatherfield in a significant Platt family drama.
The moving sequences will be aired at the end of the year, with filming on her leaving plot beginning the following month.
Helen said, “I made the decision at the beginning of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding,” acknowledging that she had the most amazing work.
“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have worked with outstanding actors, directors, and crew, as well as to have consistently been given the most amazing scripts.”
“These fifty years have gone by so quickly, and it still hasn’t really hit me that I’m leaving.”
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