ITV Coronation Street ‘drops £250k on new contract’ for soap icon Helen Worth amid multiple exits
Coronation Street star Helen Worth - who plays Gail Platt - has reportedly signed up for another year on the ITV soap, with the show having spent £250,000 on signing a new contract
A Coronation Street icon has reportedly signed up for another year on the ITV soap – with a £250,000 contract.
Helen Worth – who plays Gail Platt on the soap – has reportedly agreed to another 12 months on the Cobbles amid multiple exits from the show. At Christmas, Peter Barlow star Chris Gascoyne left the show whilst his son Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) will also been leaving soon.
Paul Foreman star Peter Ash will also be leaving the programme in a sad exit storyline. Gail Platt has been at the centre of some huge storylines, including with her on-screen mother Audrey Roberts, who is played by Sue Nicholls. The pair are much-loved by fans, who will no doubt be thrilled Helen is back for another year.
Gail Platt is part of one of the Cobbles’ famous familes
“Helen is dedicated to the soap and is determined to help steer it through a rocky patch. She is bonded to her character and is excited about her upcoming storylines for the year ahead. She still enjoys her work and seeing her castmates and crew every day,” a source told The Sun of Helen’s new contract on the ITV soap as she reportedly signs up for another year.Back in 2016, Helen admitted she gets “nervous” about being axed from the show when new producers come in. She said: “You do get nervous. It’s new beginnings. You’re in their hands. You just keep your fingers crossed and hope they want the character to continue… In real life there are older people. So they have to be represented on the show. In fact they are a very important part of our programme. I’ve no idea how long I’ll be on the show. Let’s just see.”
Helen insisted she doesn’t get involved with the storylines, but is thrilled with everything she’s been given so far. “I don’t have any input on storylines. I don’t ask questions, I just get on with the job. They’ve looked after me for 42 years so I leave it all in the safe hands of the writers. I work with such wonderful people. As long as I’m working with those people I’m happy,” she added.
Helen Worth is the second longest standing actor on the ITV soap, only following behind Corrie legend Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow. Speaking when he collected his OBE in 2022 from King Charles for services to drama and charity, he said: “I’m delighted to be receiving an OBE as it’s such a wonderful honour. I can’t tell you how proud I am. Coronation Street has given me so much in life and I absolutely love the programme and everyone who works on the show.”