Coronation Street bosses ‘find emergency replacement’ after Sean Wilson’s abrupt exit

Coronation Street fans will soon see comedian John Thomson return to the show – replacing Sean Wilson and his character Martin Platt.

Show bosses had drafted in Sean, 59, to reprise his role as Martin whose character was famously married to Gail Platt – played by Helen Worth, 73, who is exiting the long-running soap after 50 years. But days after Sean returned to film his scenes, it was reported he abruptly left the show and his planned scenes were to be written out.

Now reports have revealed that John, 55, will be returning to the series as Jesse Chadwick. He last played the character in 2010 and it is suggested his storyline will tie into Gail’s exit instead.

While Sean’s sudden exit has been a headache for show bosses, reports suggest bosses are thrilled to have enlisted John to fill the void. A source said of John’s return: “It’s been an absolutely frantic, incredibly stressful past couple of weeks for Corrie bosses and scriptwriters.”

Continuing, the source went on to The Sun: “So many new departure storylines for Gail were mooted but they were set on a love interest one – which proved tricky as she buried five of her six ex-husbands. And the remaining living one, Martin, was obviously axed in real life.

“They wanted a recognisable name and plumped for John as his character was popular with viewers and a real blast from the past.” John himself will be a familiar face to those outside of soaps as he played characters in TV sketch shows including The Fast Show and Knowing Me, Knowing You…with Alan Partridge. He has also featured in Cold Feet, Trollied and even sang as Bush Baby in The Masked Singer.

Mystery surrounds Sean’s abrupt exit from Corrie, with a spokesperson saying he: “stepped down for personal reasons”.

Helen blindsided fans earlier this year when she announced she is quitting Corrie – after joining the series way back in 1974. She said in a 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.”

She added: “The past 50 years have flown by and I don’t think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.” She is expected to wrap her scenes this month and she will bow out of Coronation Street before the end of the year.