Lorraine Kelly says she 'forgives' Coronation Street icon after she quits soap

Lorraine Kelly has shared her shock at the news that one of Coronation Street's iconic stars will soon be leaving the cobbles. The self-confessed fan of the ITV soap was left reeling when it was announced that Helen Worth would be quitting the show as Gail Platt.

Helen joined Corrie at 23 years old in 1979, which was 14 years after viewers were first introduced to the people of Weatherfield. She will soon mark five decades of playing the Platt matriarch who over the years has endured a number of failed romances, drama with her children - Nick, David and Sarah-Lou - and finding out her brother was a serial killer.

However, as Helen marks her major soap milestone, 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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It's been confirmed that the soap icon, 73, will start filming her exit story next month and the emotional scenes will be on screen at the end of the year.

Sharing 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 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