‘I’m here!’ 70s TV icon makes bid to replace Sean Wilson on Coronation Street for Gail’s exit
Former Coronation Street star Kathy Jones has told Metro.co.uk that she would ‘jump at the chance’ to reprise her Tricia Hopkins role as part of Helen Worth’s Gail Platt exit storyline.
Kathy, 70, appeared in 122 episodes of the ITV soap between 1973 and 1976, including Helen’s first scene which saw the two girls chat up Ray Langton (Neville Buswell) whilst sat on the bench outside of the demolished No. 7.
Fifty years on, Helen is now preparing to leave the programme, with her departure initially set to coincide with the return of her ex-husband Martin Platt (Sean Wilson).
Executive producer Iain Macleod confirmed that a ‘happy ending’ was planned for the icon, although it’s understood the plot has now been drastically altered following Wilson’s exit due to ‘personal reasons’.
Despite already filming scenes, they will now no longer be broadcast and his role will be fulfilled by actor and comedian John Thomson, who is reprising his role as Jesse Chadwick.
Following the news that Martin Platt would now no longer be arriving back in Weatherfield, Kathy tweeted: ‘Oh heck what’s gone on? I’m here……just waiting for the call!’, with fans enthusiastic about the idea.
One fan said: ‘You are the obvious choice for me!’, with another adding: ‘Hoping and praying you can go back for Gail’s final eps!’
In an exclusive chat with Metro.co.uk, Kathy told us: ‘I’m always open to bringing Tricia back, although I think maybe that boat has sailed.’
‘Never say never though. I think it would take a lot for the writers to resurrect her as it’s 50 years since.’
Her first appearance saw Tricia kicked out of the Rovers Return by fearsome landlady Annie Walker (Doris Speed) for drinking underage.
The following year, the rest of the Hopkins clan moved onto The Street to take over management of the corner shop.
When meddling battle-axe Granny Hopkins (Jessie Evans) caused issues with the business’ owner Gordon Clegg (Bill Kenwright), revealing that his mother was actually Betty Turpin (Betty Driver), the family did a moonlight flit – with only Tricia staying behind.
She went on to move into No. 15a (now the home of sassy solicitor Dee-Dee Bailey) with best pal Gail, and helped run the shop downstairs during Blanche Hunt’s (Maggie Jones) absence when she moved away.
‘The very first scene [between Gail and Tricia] was quite strange, as we were supposed to be great friends but had only met 5 minutes earlier while Helen was in make-up’ Kathy said.
‘But they were happy memories as we never had a cross word. We learned our lines in different ways, but came together for the rehearsals and the takes, hopefully both word perfect.
‘We sort of grew together.’
When she left the programme, Kathy remained working at Granada Television and kept in touch with Helen.
‘I would pop back in to have a chat with them all,’ she told us, ‘I left pre internet so it wasn’t always convenient to keep in touch. Then I left Granada, but you always think you will be back.’
She concluded: ‘I must admit I was shocked to hear Helen was leaving, I thought she would have stayed as long as Bill Roache (Ken Barlow), in for the long stretch so to speak.’
