ITV Coronation Street’s Sue Cleaver pays tribute to on-screen rival Helen Worth ahead of exit

Coronation Street veteran Sue Cleaver has revealed feeling ‘devastated’ about her fellow soap star Helen Worth’s exit as Gail Platt from the Weatherfield cobbles after an astounding 50 years.

At the age of 73, Helen has been the cornerstone of Coronation Street since first appearing as Gail in 1974. Her character’s upcoming exit is due to be part of an explosive storyline for the Platt family.

On Loose Women last Friday, December 20, Sue spilled the beans on how difficult it is to see her friend leave. “Helen leaving, I can’t tell you it’s really awful, it’s really sad. We are all devastated. I mean she has deserved it, I mean 50 years is extraordinary isn’t it.”

She added: “One thing I tell you is, she is the most generous, empathetic, humble human being you will ever meet, and everybody loves her.” Reflecting on Helen’s enduring presence on Coronation Street, Sue remarked: “If you speak to Jack Shepherd and Tina O’Brien who play her kids in the show, they will say she has been a mentor. She has taught them everything they know, from how you behave on the set, etiquette.”

Sue, who portrays Eileen Grimshaw and joined the cast back in 2000, expressed her own admiration, adding: “She is just the most generous soul and we are going to miss her so much. There is going to be a massive Helen hole.” Fans are bracing themselves for this year’s Christmas Day episode as it marks the moment when Gail Platt waves goodbye to the cobbles— promising an unforgettable holiday special.

Details of the episode are being kept under wraps, leaving fans in suspense about whether she’ll get her happily ever after. The festive episode is said to focus on the Platts, as she wrestles with the decision to go ahead with her wedding to Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson).

In a teaser moment, Corrie boss Kate Brooks hinted there will be secrets and betrayals set to cause devastation in Weatherfield. Kate teased: “This is a story with the Platts at the heart of it, it’s really festive, basically it’s a story about family and how secrets impact and implode on a family, so there’s a lot of betrayals, lots of secrets are exposed during this episode and it will like classic Corrie with a bit of a twist.

“I think we’re all in need of a bit of escapism at the minute and we’ve had quite a dark but brilliant few months on the cobbles. The Christmas period for us is all about trying to tap into the family dynamics of the Platts, what makes people tick and ultimately trying to make sure that we give glorious Gail the exit that she deserves.”