Speaking up about the chaos in the soap opera surrounding Gail Platt’s imminent departure is a former writer for Coronation Street.
After 50 years in the position, Helen Worth decided to leave the ITV show earlier this year, but in the last few weeks, her farewell strategy has gone horribly wrong.
Soap bosses had planned to bring back her former husband Martin Platt, played by Sean Wilson, with the star already having begun filming his return scenes on the soap.
Yet, The Sun revealed that the actor had been sensationally axed from the role with the reasons as to why now shrouded in mystery.
With the scenes now having to be re-written, an outspoken former writer of the show has given his opinion on just what the soap should do with the character of Gail.
Daran Little worked on Coronation Street in various roles before becoming a writer of the soap between 2001 and 2006
He later returned for a handful of episodes in 2009 and 2010 before joining BBC rival EastEnders.
In a new post online, Daran revealed that he would pen a holiday romance storyline for Gail in the vein of Shirley Valentine.
The scriptwriter said on X – formerly Twitter: “How I’d say goodbye to Gail: have her do a Deirdre / Shirley Valentine. Falls for a Greek guy on holiday and heads off to be with him and run his cafe.”
He later went on to insist it was a “no brainer” to write her exit in such a way.
Whilst it seems that Gail may get a romance and have her happily ever after – the man in question which will be much closer to home.
Comedian and Cold Feet star John Thomson will be reprising his role as children’s entertainer Jesse Chadwick – the former partner of Gail’s sworn enemy Eileen.
Bosses had to drum up the emergency tale after axing 59-year-old Sean’s character just two weeks ago.
A source said of John’s return: “It’s been an absolutely frantic, incredibly stressful past couple of weeks for Corrie bosses and scriptwriters.
“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.”
Gail is expected to depart at the very end of the year but plans for a happy ending with her ex were derailed when actor Sean was axed from the show.
We revealed on Saturday how Sean, 59 — who was returning as Martin Platt for his ex Gail’s huge exit storyline – had been chopped.
A source said yesterday: “Sean’s actually been gone for a while. It all happened more than two weeks ago, but a lot of people around the set didn’t know.
“The Sun’s story was the first many knew about it so it’s been quite a shock and now a big talking point – even among current and past cast members.
“Whatever it is, there are lawyers involved because the very senior bosses at Coronation Street are not allowed to discuss it.”
