She’s been at the centre of some of the biggest scandals of Coronation Street in the past five decades. But now Gail Rodwell (previously Potter-Tilsley-Platt-Hillman-McIntyre) is waving goodbye to Weatherfield as actor Helen Worth, is leaving the show.
Helen, 73, marks her half-century on Coro this month and says she made the decision to call it quits earlier this year because it felt like the right time to leave “after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world”.
Helen started playing 16-year-old Gail Potter in 1974 – when she was in fact 23 – and has been central to some of the most explosive storylines in the history of the show, including the pregnancy of her 13-year-old daughter Sarah and her husband Richard Hillman turning out to be a serial killer. She’s also the most married female character.
“I’ve been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in and week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew,” says Helen. “The past 50 years have flown by and I don’t think the fact that I’m leaving has quite sunk in yet.”
Executive producer Iain Macleod describes Gail as one of Coro’s greats and Helen as a consummate professional.
“The words ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ get used a lot these days but they genuinely do apply to Gail, and to Helen Worth,” he reveals. “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, often deriving from her catastrophically bad luck in choosing husbands.”
While Gail married five men six times, Helen wed just twice. She was married for 10 years to actor Michael Angelis and in 2013 said “I do” to school teacher Trevor Dawson.
She doesn’t have any children herself, but her character has been a brilliant matriarch of the Platt clan.
“Everyone connected to the show will miss having her around,” says Iain.
Gail’s exit storyline – rumoured to feature the return of ex-husband Martin Platt – will air later this year. Here’s a look back over her 50 years on Coro…
Looking back on Helen Worth’s time on Coronation Street
1974
Initially intended as a minor role, teenager Gail Potter arrives in Weatherfield. A friend of Tricia Hopkins (Kathy Jones), she tells Ray Langton (Neville Buswell) Tricia fancies him. She later becomes Elsie Tanner’s (Pat Phoenix) lodger.
1979-1989
Gail marries Brian Tilsley (Christopher Quinten) and has a son, Nick. They divorce in 1986 after she has an affair with Brian’s cousin Ian Latimer (Michael Loney). Brian and a pregnant Gail divorce in 1986, but remarry. In 1989, someone fatally stabs Brian.
1990-2000
Gail falls for café co-worker Martin Platt (Sean Wilson), 10 years her junior. They have a son David. The following year, Martin and Gail marry. In 2000, Gail’s 13-year-old daughter Sarah (Tina O’Brien) becomes pregnant with Bethany. Gail divorces Martin after he cheats on her.
2001-2010
Gail marries Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) in 2002. He later takes the family hostage and drives them into the canal, but dies. In 2008, son David (Jack P Shepherd) pushes her down a staircase. She marries Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale) in 2010. In 2010, Joe dies in a boat accident. Gail is charged with murder but found not guilty.
2014-2016
In 2014, Gail meets Michael Rodwell (Les Dennis), when he tries to burgle her house. They marry in 2015 but split soon after. In 2016, Michael has a heart attack while confronting dodgy developer Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre), who leaves him to die.
2021
Gail discovers an old photo and finds she is related to George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley). After a family row, Gail has a heart attack. She recuperates in Thailand, but returns for the funeral of Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden).
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