Lorraine Kelly leads tributes to Coronation Street legend Gail Platt – and forgives her for shooting her

Following the shock announcement that Helen Worth will be leaving her role as Gail Platt in Coronation Street, countless soap stars and celebrities have taken to social media to express their love and admiration for the character and actress, revealing just how much she’ll be missed.

Helen Worth first appeared on our screens as Gail in 1974, with her 50th anniversary set to come around next month.

However, this will be her last year on the show, with Coronation Street officially announcing that she is set to begin filming her exit storyline next month, ahead of Gail’s exit later this year.

‘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’, Helen said.

‘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.’

Moments after the announcement was made, co-star Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Metcalfe, addressed Helen’s exit on Loose Women, saying: ‘We’re going to miss her so much because she’s amazing. Helen was there before I started, she was a guiding light to me really, she’s a wonderful actress and I love her. I’ll miss her’.

The news was shared on Coronation Street’s official social media accounts, and garnered a lot of attention from fans and co-stars alike.

In the comments of the Instagram post, Helen’s Corrie co-stars shared their well wishes for the iconic actress, expressing how much she will be missed.

‘Can’t put into words how much I love and adore Helen,’ Tina O’Brien, who plays Gail’s daughter Sarah Platt, wrote.

‘A genuine icon,’ Glenda Shuttleworth actress Jodie Prenger added, alongside some broken heart and crying emojis.

Daniel Brocklebank, who plays vicar Billy Mayhew, said, ‘She will be so missed. We adore her,’ while Sam Blakeman actor Jude Riordan emotionally added: ‘This has ruined my year. Sam can’t not have Granny Gail around’.

‘Wonderful Helen, she will be sorely missed. A really special person,’ Abi Webster actress Sally Carman penned, while Samia Longchambon, who plays Maria Connor, said: ‘We will miss Helen so much!’

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, who was famously shot in the leg by Gail back in 2019 also wrote a loving tribute on Twitter/X, along with more Corrie stars.

Noooooooo. Corrie without Gail. It’s unthinkable. I even forgive her for shooting me in the leg with a bow and arrow (easily done) fantastic actress and a gorgeous woman with a big heart. https://t.co/SPfVm4XYHZ

— Lorraine (@reallorraine) June 5, 2024

 

My first day on #Corrie, utterly stressed and terrified.. Helen Worth walked up to me smiling in the green room and said, “Hello I’m Helen, can I give you one of my hugs?” and I found myself crouching to her tiny height as she wrapped her arms around me. 😍#coronationstreet https://t.co/jeHEc7qe8x

— Ryan Early (@RyanJPEarly) June 5, 2024

I’ll be incredibly sad to say goodbye to Helen. One of the loveliest people in Weatherfield. An absolute legend ❤️ https://t.co/RRdKJxWlKX

— Tony Maudsley (@TonyMaudsley1) June 5, 2024

It wasn’t just Coronation Street stars who were keen to honour Helen, with stars from the other British soaps also taking the time to wish her well.

‘An absolute soap legend,’ Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick, who plays Vanessa Woodfield, wrote, while her co-star, Ella Forster actress Paula Lane, who used to be in Coronation Street, said: ‘A wonderful woman who let me sit under her wing for 6 beautiful years’.

EastEnders’ Sonia Fowler actress Natalie Cassidy also commented on the post, writing: ‘Amazing iconic woman.’

Meanwhile, Hollyoaks star Ross Adams, who recently wrapped filming after playing Scott Drinkwell for nine years, took to his Instagram stories to share a picture of Gail, writing: ‘There’s only one Gail Platt’.