‘Coronation Street’ bosses have confirmed Gail Platt won’t be killed off when she leaves the programme.
Coronation Street bosses have confirmed Gail Platt won’t be killed off when she leaves the soap
The fan-favourite character - who is played by 73-year-old actress Helen Worth - will be making her exit from the ITV soap later this year after having been a mainstay on the show since her 1974 debut, and show chiefs have now revealed Gail will be given a “happy ending” when she leaves Weatherfield.
According to the Daily Star’s Hot TV column, executive producer Iain MacLeod said: “Gail won’t die. It didn’t feel like killing her off would be right.
“Gail’s exit is a brilliant story. I thought, ‘What do the viewers want to see?’
“Gail has had a hard life. She had a difficult childhood and she disastrous marriages. So, we though what viewers really want is a happy ending for her, so that what we’re doing.”
The soap boss said Helen - who is due to start filming her final scenes in the coming weeks - had given the exit storyline her seal of approval.
He continued: “Helen loves the storyline.
“Recently, she described it by saying, ‘It’s the perfect ending for Gail’, so I can sleep soundly at night.
“You don’t want to inflict an ending on someone after 50 years that they’re not happy with.”
Iain teased the character’s departure from Weatherfield will send a major shockwave through her family, including daughter Sarah (played by Tina O’Brien) and son David (portrayed by Jack P. Sherperd).
He explained: “Gail’s happy ending will be part of loads of other drama for the rest of the Platt family.
“It will be a catalyst for some explosive drama with betrayals and twists. Her departure will leave something in its wake.”
Last month, Helen announced she would be leaving the cobbles before the end of 2024, with soap bosses revealing Gail would “bid farewell to Weatherfield in a major storyline for the Platt family”.
In a statement, she said: “I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding.
“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 quite sunk in yet.”
Tagged in Coronation Street Tina O'Brien Helen Worth