Coronation Street bosses reveal Gail Platt's fate as ITV star bids emotional farewell

Coronation Street insiders have detailed the departure of one of soap's most cherished characters.

The producers have assured fans that Gail Platt, a stalwart of the show, will not meet her demise as she exits the long-running series.

Beloved by viewers, the character portrayed by Helen Worth, 73, is set to bid farewell to the ITV soap this year, having been a fixture since her first appearance in 1974.

The showrunners have now disclosed that Gail will be granted a "happy ending" as she departs from Weatherfield.

As reported by the Daily Star's Hot TV column, executive producer Iain MacLeod has confirmed: "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 had disastrous marriages. So, we thought what viewers really want is a happy ending for her, so that's what we're doing."

Helen, who is gearing up to shoot her final scenes shortly, has reportedly given the thumbs-up to the way her character's storyline concludes.

Iain teased: "Helen loves the storyline," adding: "Recently, she described it by saying, 'It's the perfect ending for Gail', so I can sleep soundly at night. You don't want to inflict an ending on someone after 50 years that they're not happy with."

The Corrie's executive producer went on to hint that Gail's exit from the cobbles will cause quite a stir among her family, including her daughter Sarah (played by Tina O'Brien) and son David (played by Jack P. Shepherd).

He elaborated: "Gail's happy ending will be part of loads of other drama for the rest of the Platt family. It will be a catalyst for some explosive drama with betrayals and twists. Her departure will leave something in its wake."

Just last month, Helen announced her impending departure from the cobbles before 2024 concludes, with soap chiefs revealing that Gail would "bid farewell to Weatherfield in a major storyline for the Platt family".

In a heartfelt statement, she expressed: "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."

Coronation Street airs weekdays on ITV and is available to stream on ITVX.