Helen Worth ‘in talks’ with Coronation Street bosses about soap return – days after Gail Platt left the cobbles for good
THE legendary actress behind Gail Platt is reportedly in discussions to make a dramatic comeback.
Actress Helen Worth confirmed she would be departing the ITV soap for good earlier this year with her final ever episode set to take centre stage this Christmas Day.
The cobbles icon bid farewell to her friends and family for a new life in the South of France after tying the knot with new husband Jesse Chadwick.
However, Coronation Street bosses have revealed that they are already keen to bring her back for guest appearances in the future.
Executive producer Iain McLeod told the Daily Star: “Helen and I have had a conversation where she’s said, ‘There might be times in my future where I’ll come back’.
“If there’s a big storyline going on with the Platt family, she might want to come in and play a role in that.
“We certainly wanted to leave the door open so that was possible. We wanted that to still be on the cards.
“It will be a real treat for viewers if the opportunity arises for Helen to pop in here and there. She could play a role in some big moments.”
It was an emotional exit for Gail on Christmas Day with many stand-out moments.
Her daughter Sarah, Gail told her: “I know you’re the backbone.
“I know there’s lots you don’t tell me because you want to protect me. Don’t feel you have to carry them just because you’re the only daughter.
“Look after yourself. Choose happiness. You know you’ve always been my favourite.”
And she reunited with her mum Audrey in a tearful moment before the wedding, with Audrey telling her she had to go and live her new life.
“If anyone deserves that villa sweetheart, it’s you,” Audrey told her.
And despite Nick being arrested before the ceremony, courtesy of Leanne’s scheming, he made it back just in time to hear Gail’s heartfelt promise to Jessie.
She told him: “I will adore you until the day I die.”
Gail's biggest Corrie storylines
Over the years the character of Gail Platt has been the centre of several major plots.
Here we take a look back over actress Helen Worth’s biggest storylines:
Teenage daughter’s pregnancy
One of Gail’s most controversial storylines was in 1999.
It came when her 13-year-old daughter Sarah became pregnant.
Multiple marriages
Gail holds the record for the series’ most married female character.
She has been wed a whopping six times, each one worse the last.
Married to a serial killer
One of Gail’s multiple marriages saw her wed Richard Hillman, who turned out to be a serial killer.
At the climax of the storyline, 19 million fans tuned in to watch Hillman drive his wife and her family into a canal.
Scrapping on The Street
Gail has proved over the years she can’t resist a good scrap.
Her most memorable bust-up saw her attack Eileen Grimshaw on the cobbles in 2004 while in her dressing gown.
Jail bird
In 2010, Gail found herself wrongly banged up in jail.
She was wrongfully arrested for murdering her 4th husband Joe McIntyre.
David disappeared from the festivities to get Adam Barlow drunk, trick him into falling down the stairs and then get confirmation that wife Shona cheated on him.
He took her back to the house to have it out with her, but she wouldn’t tell him who she cheated on him with.
Shona told him that their marriage is dead just in time for Gail to arrive and find the couple at each other’s throat.
Sitting down with her son, Gail told David: “Be kind to Shona and to yourself.
“You’ve got a big mouth, but you’re a sensitive soul. You know you’ve always been my favourite, don’t you? I’m proud of you.”
How will the Platt family cope with their matriarch?
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8pm on ITV1 and is available from 7am on ITVX.