ITV Coronation Street: Real lives of Platt family actors, co-star love, success and tragedy

Coronation Street fans were first introduced to what we now know to be the Platt family nearly fifty years ago. Their time on the cobbles dates back to 1974, when Gail Tilsley, played by Helen Worth, first arrived on the ITV soap.

And, during their time in Weatherfield, the different family members have been part of some of the soap's biggest storylines. Viewers will remember everything from Sarah's teenage pregnancy and David's menacing ways to Gail's multiple marriages and almost being killed by Richard Hillman. Heartbreak has also hit the Platts, with Gail's eldest son, Nick, suffering a brain tumour.

But the actors who play the Platts have also led interesting lives off-screen too, reports the Daily Star. Some have remained veterans on the show, whereas others have pursued new careers.

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Here, we take a brief look back at a number of members of the Platt family and the lives of those who play them away from the cobbles.

Coronation Street viewers have been familiar with soap favourite Sue Nicholls for over 40 years. Playing hair stylist and former Weatherfield mayoress Audrey Roberts, Nicholls made her debut on the street in 1979.

As the long-suffering mother of Gail and grandmother of David Platt, her character Audrey has been through her fair share of drama on the famous cobbles, including the tragic death of husband Alf Roberts. In the role, Nicholls has also won two British Soap Awards, as well as receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award in 2019.

But many might not be aware of the star's real-life background. Nicholls is the daughter Sir Harmar Nicholls, the former Conservative MP for