Helen Worth surprised by Corrie cast and crew at the end of an era

Helen Worth was surprised by hundreds of Coronation Street cast and crew members who gave her a rousing send-off as she said farewell to the soap after 50 years on the cobbles.

Ladies and gentlemen, that is a wrap on Helen Worth ❤️ ✨

Take a look behind the scenes into the moment Helen was wrapped on Coronation Street for the final time. #Corrie @ITV pic.twitter.com/WTALw0EqFn

— Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) December 26, 2024

The 73-year-old actress delivered her last lines as her character, Gail Rodwell, surrounded by her on-screen family in the Platt's living room.

Her exit storyline, which featured in the Christmas Day episode, saw Gail decide to swap Weatherfield for a new life in France after she finally got her happy ending by marrying Jesse Chadwick, played by John Thomson.

Her final on-screen scene saw her driving away from the cobbles, but, because the show is filmed out of order, the last segment she recorded was in Gail's home.

In a clip shared by the ITV soap, Worth can be seen becoming tearful as the cast and crew applaud her after a director calls cut on her last scene.

She tells the Coronation Street team: "The reason I've been here all these years - and it's a lot of years, it's more than I can think about really - is because of all of you people that have been here for, well, some of you for all of those 50 years and others for half of that time.

"But I couldn't have done any of it without you. I really couldn't. You are the most amazing team of people, and I really do say thank you."

Addressing her co-stars, she continues: "And as for this lot, who didn't tell me [about this]… Oh God, I love them so much.

"I don't quite know what I'm going to do without you. But thank you for everything."

Actress Sue Nicholls, who plays Gail's on-screen mother, Audrey Roberts, then calls for three cheers for Worth as the rest of the TV family appear emotional.

Reflecting on the surprise, Gail's on-screen son, David Platt, played by Jack P Shepherd, says: "It was important to us all that we were in her final scene and able to give her the send-off she deserves.

"All the other crews filming that day stood down and there were hundreds of people there to say goodbye."

A goodbye message from the woman herself. Thank you for everything, Helen Worth. ❤️ #Corrie @ITV pic.twitter.com/6Trk16iGDZ

— Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) December 25, 2024

Gail's final storyline was not without drama, as her late serial killer ex-husband Richard Hillman, played by Brian Capron, tried to stop her marrying Jesse.

Having joined the soap in July 1974, Worth's character has been a prominent figure in a number of explosive storylines over the years, with her ill-fated love life coming to define her.

During her 50 years on the show, Gail has been married many times and had three children - sons David and Nick and daughter Sarah.

In a pre-recorded message shared on social media after the episode, Worth said: "It's been a fabulous 50 years, and I just wanted to thank all of you, some of you who may have been watching for 50 years. Is there anybody? And those of you who've been watching for a few years. Thank you.

"Thanks for coming on the journey with me. I've had a wonderful time. I've loved it all."

Source: Press Association

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