Coronation Street fans heartbroken over star’s sudden exit 36 years after debut
Sean Wilson was set to reprise his role as Martin Platt as part of ex-wife Gail's exit storyline, but suddenly announced he would not be returning to the cobbles
Fans are “extremely disappointed” that Martin Platt will no longer return to Coronation Street as part of ex wife Gail’s exit storyline, with actor Sean Wilson pulling out for “personal reasons”.
The bombshell news dropped ahead of Helen Worth’s departure from the ITV soap, with writers reportedly rushing to rejig the script to accommodate Sean’s decision. Gail, who has been in the show since 1974, will leave the cobbles for good, with her final scenes airing this Christmas. But although Martin was originally set to participate in her final farewell, he has sensationally quit the show, and will no longer reprise his role, having first appeared on the street in 1985.
Martin Platt will no longer return to the cobbles for Gail’s send off
Corrie fans took to Twitter to share their devastation at the news. One gutted fan wrote: “WHAT DO U MEAN MARTIN PLATT HAS QUIT ???” Another joked: “Wasn’t gonna drink tonight but found out Martin Platt wasn’t coming back,” while another lamented: “Sorry I can’t get over Martin Platt. What happens now?”
Others were shocked at the timing, with one fan commenting: “So Martin Platt now not coming back but he’s already been filming but all those scenes are now scrapped? I feel for all the cast, crew and writers who will have put so much time into all that work….for nothing.”
“Martin platt quitting Corrie is my version of Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury splitting up,” another added, while someone else demanded answers: “Well this is extremely random and disappointing tbh. What the hell is going on? And where is Gail actually?”
Another X user has had enough, posting: “They might as well just kill off Ken Barlow and end the show for good.” Coronation Street have also confirmed Sean will not appear as Martin in the soap later this year. In a statement, a spokesperson for Coronation Street told The Mirror: “Sean Wilson has stepped down from filming for personal reasons.”
It has been claimed that Helen is gutted that Sean won’t be part of her exit storyline, with a source claiming: “It has come as a complete and utter shock to everyone – and his sudden exit has rocked everyone involved with Corrie.
“Sean was loving his time on the show, and he was very popular on set. He had filmed scenes with loads of the cast, but then suddenly he was summoned to head office, and later it filtered out he wouldn’t be returning or his scenes airing, but no explanation offered.”
The insider added to The Sun: “Clearly it’s a major blow for bosses who must now find a new magical and happy ending for Helen – but they are confident they’ll pull it out of the bag, and give viewers something wonderful.”
Further details are yet to be released about Sean’s decision to leave the soap before his scenes air. But the news has come as a shock, with just a few weeks ago, Sean sharing his excitement for his return. He said: “It was great to be invited back to Coronation St 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.”