Ex Coronation Street writer speaks out on Gail Platt’s exit as soap is left in chaos following Sean Wilson’s shock axe
A FORMER Coronation Street writer has had his say on the soap chaos surrounding Gail Platt’s impending exit.
Helen Worth opted to quit the ITV programme earlier this year after 50 years in the role but her planned exit has gone seriously awry in the last few weeks.
Soap bosses had planned to bring back her former husband Martin Platt, played by Sean Wilson, with the star already having begun filming his return scenes on the soap.
Yet, The Sun revealed that the actor had been sensationally axed from the role with the reasons as to why now shrouded in mystery.
With the scenes now having to be re-written, an outspoken former writer of the show has given his opinion on just what the soap should do with the character of Gail.
Daran Little worked on Coronation Street in various roles before becoming a writer of the soap between 2001 and 2006.
He later returned for a handful of episodes in 2009 and 2010 before joining BBC rival EastEnders.
In a new post online, Daran revealed that he would pen a holiday romance storyline for Gail in the vein of Shirley Valentine.
The scriptwriter said on X – formerly Twitter: “How I’d say goodbye to Gail: have her do a Deirdre / Shirley Valentine. Falls for a Greek guy on holiday and heads off to be with him and run his cafe.”
He later went on to insist it was a “no brainer” to write her exit in such a way.
Whilst it seems that Gail may get a romance and have her happily ever after – the man in question which will be much closer to home.
Comedian and Cold Feet star John Thomson will be reprising his role as children’s entertainer Jesse Chadwick – the former partner of Gail’s sworn enemy Eileen.
Bosses had to drum up the emergency tale after axing 59-year-old Sean’s character just two weeks ago.
A source said of John’s return: “It’s been an absolutely frantic, incredibly stressful past couple of weeks for Corrie bosses and scriptwriters.
“So many new departure storylines for Gail were mooted but they were set on a love interest one – which proved tricky as she buried five of her six ex-husbands. And the remaining living one, Martin, was obviously axed in real life.
“They wanted a recognisable name and plumped for John as his character was popular with viewers and a real blast from the past.”
Coronation Street's 2024 shock exits
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.
Gail is expected to depart at the very end of the year but plans for a happy ending with her ex were derailed when actor Sean was axed from the show.
We revealed on Saturday how Sean, 59 — who was returning as Martin Platt for his ex Gail’s huge exit storyline – had been chopped.
A source said yesterday: “Sean’s actually been gone for a while. It all happened more than two weeks ago, but a lot of people around the set didn’t know.
“The Sun’s story was the first many knew about it so it’s been quite a shock and now a big talking point – even among current and past cast members.
“Whatever it is, there are lawyers involved because the very senior bosses at Coronation Street are not allowed to discuss it.”