EXCLUSIVE: ITV Coronation Street star ‘gutted’ by Helen Worth’s exit as final storyline ‘revealed’
Coronation Street star Paddy Bever - who plays Max on the ITV soap - has spoken about Helen Worth's sad departure from the ITV soap, which is expected to air later this year
Coronation Street star Paddy Bever has opened up about Helen Worth’s sad departure from the ITV soap.
A few weeks back, it was confirmed that Helen will be departing her role as Gail Platt after 50 years on the Cobbles. Bosses have confirmed Helen will start filming her exit story soon and they will air at the end of the year.
Speaking at the time, Helen shared: “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.”
Helen Worth will be departing her role at the end of the year (Image: ITV)
Now Paddy – who plays Max – has opened up about Gail’s exit from the soap. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror and other press, he said: “I think Helen is the kindest soul. I think she has a radical kindness about her; she’s one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met and she makes me feel calm and safe.
“Gutted to be losing Helen but also at the same time so pleased for her that she’s accomplished so much.” Coronation Street boss Iain Macleod insisted Gail won’t die in her final scenes, and hailed her exit as a “brilliant story”.
Speaking about Gail’s exit, Iain shared: “Gail won’t die. It didn’t feel like killing her off would be right. Gail’s exit is a brilliant story. I thought, ‘What do the viewers want to see?’ Gail has had a hard life. She had a difficult childhood and she disastrous marriages. So, we though what viewers really want is a happy ending for her, so that what we’re doing.”
He added: “The words ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ get used a lot these days but they genuinely do apply to Gail and to Helen Worth. However, given her humility, I know Helen won’t thank me for saying so!
“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! … Gail has given us countless hours of entertainment but it should also be said that Helen herself is a consummate professional and a thoroughly good egg.”
