Rejoice! Departing icon Gail Rodwell (Helen Worth) has returned to Coronation Street after almost six months off screen.
Can you believe that it’s been 70 episodes since she last appeared, as an attendee of grandson Harry’s birthday party?
To put that into perspective, stories in that episode included; Damon (Ciaran Griffiths) being arrested for his part in a botched burglary, Summer (Harriet Bibby) booking her flight to the US, and Nina’s (Mollie Gallagher) concerns for her uncle Roy (David Neilson), who had been sleepwalking under the pressure of Lauren’s (Cait Fitton) disappearance.
Adam Barlow’s (Sam Robertson) also had about 20 different hairstyles since then.
Another key event to occur in the real world would be legendary Helen, a Street stalwart, announcing that she would be leaving the role after 50 years
Helen announced her departure in June, almost 50 years since her first appearance (Picture: ITV)
Fans across the globe took compassionate leave from work as they mourned the loss of one of the nation’s favourites.
The news broke back in June, and at the time it was confirmed that she was back on set ready to begin filming her final plot line – which was originally due to see ex-husband Martin Platt (Sean Wilson) return.
After being back on set and recording scenes, Sean was suddenly dropped from production for ‘personal reasons’. With scripts hastily altered, his part will now be fulfilled by comedian and actor John Thomson, who is reprising his role as Jesse Chadwick after 14 years.
Jesse Chadwick will replace Martin Platt in the final story (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
It’s not yet known how she will leave (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
It’s set to be a busy few months for the Platt clan as aside from Gail leaving, as Metro.co.uk revealed that her granddaughter Bethany (Lucy Fallon) is set to find herself in a potentially deadly situation after undergoing botched cosmetic surgery abroad.
In last night’s episode she made a welcome return, as they gathered for Max Turner’s (Paddy Bever) 18th birthday.
The celebrations continued at the Viaduct Bistro – but things quickly turned sour when Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) charged in and kicked off after discovering her fiancé Nick Tilsley’s (Ben Price) affair with her sister Toyah Habeeb (Georgia Taylor).
When he admitted that he’d fallen in love with Toyah, Gail told her eldest son that she’d ‘never been more ashamed’ of him.
Ouch.
Will mother and son be able to make amends before she goes?
