Coronation Street fans 'in shock' as Gail Platt star to leave soap and make two demands

Coronation Street fans have shared their 'shock' at the news Gail Platt will be leaving Weatherfield. The ITV soap has announced that Helen Worth will be stepping back from the role, just as she celebrates 50 years playing the much-loved character.

Helen made her first appearance on Corrie at the age of 23 in 1974, 14 years after the viewers were first introduced to the people of Weatherfield. The role of Gail was initially intended to be very minor, a friend of the more established character Tricia Hopkins, who was introduced as part of a new family.

While the family didn't stick around, Helen remained and will soon mark five decades of playing the Platt matriarch. However, she will also be looking forward to a very different future, as she has made the difficult decision to step down from her much-loved role at the end of the year.

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Half a century after she first walked onto the cobbles, viewers will see Helen and Gail bid farewell to Weatherfield in a major storyline for the Platt family. Helen, 73, will start filming her exit story next month and the emotional scenes will be on screen at the end of the year.

Confirming the reason behind her exit, Helen said in a statement: "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."

She added: "I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to