Helen Worth has disclosed the real reason behind her departure from Coronation Street.
The actress, who first appeared as Gail Platt in 1974, has been at the centre of countless dramatic storylines, from her daughter Sarah’s teenage pregnancy to the shocking revelation that husband Richard Hillman was a serial killer.
Over the decades, Ms Worth became a familiar and beloved presence on the cobbles, appearing in around 4,000 episodes.
Speaking at An Evening with Helen Worth at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester on Sunday, the 75-year-old revealed that the physical and mental demands of the role had begun to take their toll.
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Helen Worth revealed why she left Coronation Street
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"It was only a bit towards the end when I got a bit tired," she told the audience during a conversation with former co-star Julie Hesmondhalgh.
By the time she filmed her final scenes, Ms Worth described herself as "rattling a bit."
Gail departed Weatherfield on Christmas Day 2024, bringing an end to half a century of storylines.
The actress looked back on her long career, calling the first 49 years "a dream" before admitting the production schedule had become increasingly hectic in recent times.
Over the decades, Ms Worth became a familiar and beloved presence on the soap
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Ms Hesmondhalgh also recalled the whirlwind nature of filming, saying: "You'd be burying your husband on the Monday, marrying him on the Tuesday... you're just like, 'Where am I, what am I doing?'"
Ms Worth confirmed that scenes were often shot out of order, sometimes jumping between weeks within the same day, making the work even more demanding.
Despite the challenges, Ms Worth fondly recalled her final co-stars, particularly John Thomson, who played her last on-screen husband, Jesse Chadwick.
She said: "My final husband, John Thomson, was absolutely gorgeous to me, because by then I was rattling a bit."
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John Thomson played Ms Worth's last on-screen husband, Jesse Chadwick
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The actress acknowledged that her experience had a mix of highs and lows.
"I had good and bad days... but then you forget the bad days and you just remember the good days," she explained.
Several members of the on-screen Platt family attended the event to show their support, including Jack P Shepherd (David), Tina O’Brien (Sarah), Lucy Fallon (Bethany) and Julia Goulding (Shona).
Fans shared their delight at seeing the cast reunited, praising the performers as "the best Coronation Street family" both on and off screen.
As one iconic character exits the cobbles, another former star is hinting at a return.
Helen Flanagan, who played Rosie Webster from the age of nine until 2018, has shared her hopes of rejoining Coronation Street.
Speaking to The Mirror, the 35-year-old said she would "absolutely love to return" and described the show as feeling like "home."
She suggested Rosie could come back as a barmaid and even enjoy a soap wedding, joking that it would be “the only wedding I'd be getting at the moment.”
Ms Worth first appeared as Gail Platt in 1974
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Ms Flanagan, who also appeared briefly in 2017, emphasised her close ties with former cast members, describing them as family rather than colleagues.
She added that living nearby would make returning “so perfect.”