Life on Coronation Street won't be the same without Gail Platt as Helen Worth announced she'd be leaving the ITV soap after 50 years.
The 73-year-old has been on the soap since 1974 and in Corrie's early days looked almost unrecognisable. Helen's departure from the ITV show was announced this Wednesday, June 5, and speaking of her exit, the actress 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", 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."
Helen is one of Weatherfield's longest-standing residents alongside the likes of Ken Barlow (William Roache) and on-screen mother Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls), as she made her debut in the program on July 29, 1974.
The TV icon has portrayed Gail since she was first introduced to viewers as Audrey's happy-go-lucky daughter, whom she raised alone.
Mother and daughter have had a strained relationship over the years, with Gail being resentful towards Audrey for making her play second fiddle to her social life.
In 1974, as viewers of the Manchester-based program will recall, Gail (then Potter) left school to work as a secretary at the Mark Brittain Warehouse and looked unrecognisable in comparison to her appearances in the long-running drama in recent years.
While portraying the eager and bright-eyed teenager, Helen sported long dirty blonde hair, with her old look being worlds away from the bob hairstyle she opted for years down the line.
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Gail has been changed by the events that have marked her life in the cobbles, notably her marriage to serial killer Richard Hillman, the death of her first husband Brian Tilsley and raising her children, Nick, Sarah and David Platt.
She also holds the record for Coronation Street's most married women as she has tied the knot with six different men over the years.
Producer Iain MacLeod spoke out following the news of her departure from the program, claiming: "Gail has given us countless hours of entertainment."
The soap boss then praised Helen, who won the outstanding achievement award at The British Soap Awards in 2014 for her performance, for being a "consummate professional and a thoroughly good egg."
After 50 years, Helen's number of appearances in Coronation Street has climbed up to 4,453, not far off from William Roache's own 4,773 appearances since the show first aired in December, 1960. Filming for her final scenes are due to begin in July, 2024.
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