Coronation Street is set to welcome back a familiar face in coming months, with actor Sean Wilson confirming his return to the role of Martin Platt as part of the exit storyline of Helen Worth’s Gail.
Previously reported by Metro.co.uk, Martin’s comeback will play a heavy role in how Gail leaves, with Sean indicating that he may have ulterior motives and will ‘throw a spanner in the works.’
Already back filming, the actor – whose alter-ego’s marriage to Gail was popular in the ’90s – enthused: ‘It was great to be invited back to Coronation Street again, to contribute to Helen’s exit story.
‘We’ll have a few months to catch up with Martin and Gail again, following the ebbs and flows of the unfolding storyline.
‘Playing Martin has been a joy since day one and in a way, I’ll be slipping back to where I left off, which no doubt will throw a spanner into the heart of the Platt family.
‘It’s just like slipping on an old and comfortable jumper from the back of the wardrobe …I’m looking forward to reuniting with my TV family.’
Sean played the role between 1985 and 2005, but reprised the role very briefly in 2018 while David (Jack P Shepherd) was struggling with the secret that he had been raped.
At the time, Martin explained his decision to emigrate the country, but when David finds him in the front room, he will automatically wonder what he wants.
Does he have an ulterior motive?
While the months ahead are bound to bring drama, one thing we can be assured of is that Gail will be gifted a happy ending, something which Helen – who is retiring after a staggering 50 years – is happy with.
ITV soap boss Iain MacLeod 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 viewers want to see?
‘Gail has had a hard life. She had a difficult childhood and some disastrous marriages. So, we thought what viewers really want is a happy ending for her, so that’s what we’re doing.’
He added to the Daily Star: ‘Helen loves the storyline. ‘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.’
Whether or not Martin is part of that happy ending remains to be seen – the couple split after he had an ill-advised affair with nurse Rebecca, played by Jill Halfpenny.
The other husbands of Gail have all perished, with Brian Tilsley, serial killer Richard Hillman, Joe McIntyre and Les Dennis’ alter-ego Michael Rodwell all met sticky ends.
So Martin has his work cut out even surviving, let alone giving ar Gail the joy she deserves.
Speaking about her decision to leave after half a century, national treasure Helen said: ‘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’, Helen said, in a statement which shocked fans of the ITV soap.
‘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.’
Her final scenes are expected to air at Christmas.
