A SOAP legend has predicted a ‘worrying trend’ at Coronation Street following Helen Worth’s decision to quit the soap.
Fans of the ITV soap were left stunned when it was revealed that one of the programme’s biggest names had decided to walk away from the show for good.
Helen Worth has played the iconic Gail Platt for 50 years but confirmed that she would be quitting in a bombshell statement.
Her final scenes are expected to air around Christmas time in an ’emotional ending’.
Now, one of Helen’s former co-stars has speculated that she could have kickstarted a trend among some of the show’s veteran stars who could not all be following suit and leave the programme for good.
Charlie Lawson, who played long-running fan favourite Jim McDonald, spoke out on GB News as he shared his fears for the soap’s future following Helen’s exit.
Speaking to the channel, Charlie said: “I’m frankly not surprised [Helen is leaving].
“Having spoken to a number of senior members of the cast at this period of time…
“You know when Helen joined, and when I joined, there was a cast of perhaps 25 – you’d have to add about another 75 of that now.
“It is a totally different animal now – four, five six episodes a week.”
Charlie appeared to be hinting at dissatisfaction among more senior members of the cast as he admitted he had been in contact with quite a few.
He did not explicitly confirm if he had spoken to Helen but he admitted she never joined him “on the lash” but they often bonded over their love of food.
He went on to say of the after-effects of Helen leaving: “This may be a good or a bad thing but it may start a trend [among the cast].
“There are a number of people in Corrie who are… I mean William Roache is over 90, Barbara [Knox] is not far behind, Sue Nicholls, some of these people are getting on.
“As much as we would love to see them die in harness as we say, I would not be surprised and nor would I blame any of them if they’ve done their time that they want to go and have a nice final 20 years of their lives with all the money that they’ve made then so be it!”
Another soap fanatic, Daran Little, who has worked in the industry since 2000 first as a writer on Corrie for 10 years before moving to BBC rival EastEnders, also cast doubt over whether Gail’s on-screen mum, Audrey, played by the aforementioned Sue would remain on-screen for much longer after Helen’s exit.
Daran, who has a close connection with Helen and Sue, wrote in a tweet that he expected to see Sue walk out of the door like Helen at the Manchester-based soap.
He penned: “My gut feeling is Sue won’t want to stay long without Helen. No insider knowledge, just a feeling.”
It sparked fan concern that Coronation Street could be met with two monumental exits as opposed to just one.
Coronation Street has faced criticism over the past two years amid rising fan complaints over a steep decline in quality on the long-running show.
Helen did not address these concerns in her leaving statement but admitted that she had made the decision to walk at the beginning of this year.
Confirming her plans to leave, the star said in her statement: “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.
“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.”
A huge loss to Corrie
The Sun’s Soaps editor Carl Greenwood reveals how this is a massive blow to Coronation Street
THERE will be a huge hole on Coronation Street when Helen Worth leaves the cobbles later this year.
Actress Helen made her first appearance on the cobbles in 1974 as Gail Potter and has lived most of her life on them – and what a life it’s been.
Beloved by millions through the last half a century, Helen created one of the most iconic characters on British television.
Behind only Ken Barlow co-star Bill Roache, Helen has appeared in more episodes of a television series than anyone else.
She’s had more weddings – and surnames – than almost anyone else and buried multiple husbands – all but one ended up dead.
Three kids, four grandkids and a serial killer husband (and brother) – Gail has been at the forefront of Corrie for decades.
She’s been imprisoned, framed for murder, almost murdered multiple times, she’s survived serial killers, her own children and a concerning addiction to olives.
Not to mention countless street brawls with frenemy Eileen Grimshaw.
But through it all she’s remained a Corrie icon and her exit will leave a colossal hole on the cobbles – much bigger than the sinkhole that opened up in her back garden.
New Coronation Street boss Kate Brooks has her work cut out to give Helen and Gail the epic goodbye she deserves.