Coronation Street legend Helen Worth quits after 50 years playing soap icon Gail Platt

Coronation Street icon Helen Worth aka Gail Platt has has announced she has quit the soap after 50 years. The actress, 73, who has played the iconic character since 1974, announced on Wednesday she would be leaving the ITV soap at the end of this year.

In an official statement Helen said: “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.

“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.”

Since arriving on the cobbles in 1974 Gail Platt has had her fair share of storylines. She has been married six times; her first husband was Brian Tilsley and they had a son Nick Tilsley. Then Gail married Martin Platt and the couple went on to have two children Sarah and David. Gail is also the grandmother of Bethany Platt. 

In 2002 Gail married businessman Richard Hillman who turned out to be a serial killer. Her love life didn’t get any better after her fourth husband drowned and the fifth died from a heart attack.