ITV has honoured Gail Platt’s legacy after actress Helen Worth has announced she’s bidding farewell to the cobbles after 50 years.
It’s officially the end of an era.
While that phrase gets thrown around quite often these days, this time we genuinely mean it, as after five decades of stellar service on the nation’s favourite TV soap, it’s time to say goodbye to the absolute icon that is Gail Platt.
We already knew that the Coronation Street legend would be celebrating her golden anniversary on the Manchester-based show next month, but now, it’s been announced that this milestone will be a momentous occasion for actress Helen Worth in more ways than one, as her 50th year on the show will also be her last.
Not only will Helen be celebrating 50 years, she’ll also be looking forward to a very different future, as ITV says she’s “made the difficult decision” to step down from her role at the end of the year.
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Helen Worth to Bid Farewell After 50 Years on the Cobbles.
A statement breaking the news released by ITV today reads: “Half a century after she first walked onto the cobbles, viewers will see Helen and Gail bid farewell to Weatherfield in a major storyline for the Platt family. Helen will start filming her exit story next month and the emotional scenes will be on screen at the end of the year.”
Helen said she feels like this year is the “perfect time” to leave the show.
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Helen continued: “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. 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.”
ITV pays tribute to Gail Platt’s legacy as actress Helen Worth leaves Coronation Street after 50 years / Credit: ITV
Paying tribute to the character of Gail Platt and her legacy ahead of her final scenes airing later this year, Coronation Street’s Executive Producer, Iain Macleod, said: “The words ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ get used a lot these days, but they genuinely do apply to Gail and to Helen Worth, however given her humility, I know Helen won’t thank me for saying so.
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“In Helen’s hands, Gail has been a huge part of Coronation Street for five decades and at the centre of some of the most memorable storylines.
“Her ill-fated marriage to Richard Hillman was one of the most groundbreaking stories in soap history and cemented Gail’s already established status as one of the Corrie greats. As the matriarch of the Platt clan, her affectionately prickly relationships with her kids, and flighty mum Audrey, epitomise what makes the show great.
“Gail has given us countless hours of entertainment, but it should also be said that Helen herself is a consummate professional and a thoroughly good egg.
“Everyone connected to the show will miss having her around the place just as much as the viewers will miss having her on their screens and we wish her all the very best for the future.”
Featured Image – ITV
TV & Showbiz
Sir Ian McKellen thanks NHS as he speaks out for first time after falling off stage
Emily Sergeant
Sir Ian McKellen has thanked the NHS in a statement speaking out for the first time after suffering an on-stage fall.
The revered Burnley-born actor is currently starring as John Falstaff in a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s prestigious West End, but during Monday (17 June) night’s show, the 85-year-old was said to have he lost his footing on stage while performing a fight scene and reportedly fell into the orchestra pit.
Audience members who took to social media shortly after the incident said they heard the McKellen “cry out in pain” after falling, before the theatre was swiftly evacuated.
Sir Ian was taken to hospital for medical treatment following the dramatic fall, and the theatre subsequently issued a statement saying it had made the decision to cancel the shows on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Fans were reassured, however, that the actor was “in good spirits” and expected to “make a full recovery”.
Sir Ian McKellen is is currently starring as John Falstaff in Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre / Credit: ATG Tickets
Now, for the first time since suffering the fall, the Tony, Olivier, and Golden Globe award-winning actor has issued a statement thanking the public for all their “kind messages and support”, as well as thanking the country’s health service for the treatment he received.
McKellen said he is “hugely indebted” to the NHS in his update message.
Taking to X to speak to fans directly yesterday evening (18 June), Sir Ian wrote: “I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support.
“Since the accident, during a performance of Player Kings last night, my injuries have been diagnosed and treated by a series of experts, specialists and nurses working for the National Health Service. To them, of course, I am hugely indebted.”
I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support. Since the accident, during a performance of Player Kings last night, my injuries have been diagnosed and treated by a series of experts, specialists and nurses working for the National Health Service. To them, of…
As well as thanking fans for their support and the NHS for the treatment he received, Sir Ian also gave an update on his anticipated recovery journey, and made sure to say how much he is eager to get back on stage as soon as possible.
“[The NHS] have assured me that my recovery will be complete and speedy,” McKellen’s statement continued, “and I am looking forward to returning to work.”
The Noel Coward Theatre has confirmed in an updated statement on X that it intends to go ahead with tomorrow night’s show (Thursday 19 June).
David Semark is listed on the Player’s Kings wesbite as the “cover” actor for Sir Ian’s leading role.
Featured Image – Manuel Harlan / Player Kings (via X)
TV & Showbiz
Sir Ian McKellen taken to hospital after falling from theatre stage mid-show
Daisy Jackson
Sir Ian McKellen has had to be taken to hospital after a dramatic fall from the stage last night.
The Burnley-born icon had been performing a fight scene at the Noel Coward Theatre when he lost his footing and reportedly fell into the orchestra pit.
Audience members said they heard the 85-year-old actor cry out in pain and the theatre was swiftly evacuated.
Sir Ian, who has been starring as John Falstaff in Player Kings, was taken to hospital following the dramatic fall, where he’s in ‘good spirits’ and expected to ‘make a full recovery’.
The theatre has taken the decision to cancel this evening’s performance of Player Kings ‘so Ian can rest’.
The production, adapted from Shakespeare’s Henry IV, previewed here in Manchester back in March at the Opera House theatre.
It’s since moved down to London where Sir Ian has been performing to sold-out theatre audiences.
One audience member from last night said: “Just witnessed an awful accident with Sir Ian McKellen tripping off the stage in London. He seems badly hurt. We are all in shock and tears.”
Another posted on X: “As patrons & producers of theatre, it was devastating to be at Player Kings tonight when Sir Ian McKellen fell off the stage during a battle scene. Still in shock. Sending love & light Sir Ian. Thinking of the cast, crew & audience members who experienced this traumatic event.”
Just witnessed Ian Mckellan severely injure himself after falling off stage at Noel Coward Theatre. Sir Ian could be heard screaming in pain as ushers rushed to his aid. Show cancelled as he is treated by ambulance crews. Wish him all the best. #playerkings#ianmckellanpic.twitter.com/gjUJNyhxF9
Someone else said: “Just witnessed Ian Mckellan severely injure himself after falling off stage at Noel Coward Theatre. Sir Ian could be heard screaming in pain as ushers rushed to his aid. Show cancelled as he is treated by ambulance crews. Wish him all the best.”
One witness shared on Instagram: “Middle of the show. Sir Ian falls off the stage. I’m stunned right now. Never, in a hundred shows, seen anything like it. I’m hoping he is OK.”
A spokesperson for the Noel Coward theatre said: “Thank you to our audience and the general public for their well wishes following lan’s fall during this evening’s performance of Player Kings.
As patrons & producers of theatre, it was devastating to be at Player Kings tonight when Sir Ian McKellen fell off the stage during a battle scene. Still in shock. Sending love & light Sir Ian. Thinking of the cast, crew & audience members who experienced this traumatic event ❤️ pic.twitter.com/oWABBZbhwC
“Following a scan, the brilliant NHS team have assured us that he will make a speedy and full recovery and lan is in good spirits.
“The production has made the decision to cancel the performance on Tuesday 18 June so lan can rest. Those affected will be contacted by their point of purchase as soon as possible tomorrow.
“Thank you to doctors Rachel and Lee who were on hand in the audience and to all the venue staff for their support.”
Emily Sergeant -
5th June 2024 
