Soap legend Helen Worth today begins her final week on the Cobbles as she prepares to say goodbye to Coronation Street after 50 years. The TV great films her final scenes as Gail Platt this week ahead of her dramatic exit in the months ahead. The 73-year-old announced in a bombshell statement earlier this year that she’d be quitting the ITV show after five decades playing the tortured resident.
Details of what the storyline will be that leads to Gail leaving Weatherfield have not been confirmed, but bosses have teased that it will be "emotional" and will no doubt be a fitting departure for a Corrie icon. But fans fear the worst after last week watching veteran Gail suffer a heart-attack. As part of the storyline, the ITV show partnered with the British Heart Foundation to raise awareness about heart disease.
The credits were interrupted by a message to highlight the charity's research, giving fans a powerful message as its classic theme tune was changed to the sound of a flatlining heartbeat following Gail's cardiac arrest. Speaking of her decision to bow out back in June, long-serving 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 fantas.
