Sean Wilson was abruptly kicked off Coronation Street midway through his planned comeback – after a concern was raised about him to show bosses, MailOnline can reveal.
Producers called the actor, who plays Martin Platt, in for a meeting not long after he had begun shooting for their upcoming storylines to tell him on the spot that they would no longer be using him – and pulled the plug on the remaining production plans.
ITV bosses have so far only confirmed that ‘personal reasons’ were behind his shock exit.
However, a representative for the actor, 59, whose return to the cobbles had been widely trailed, refused to comment or offer any explanation for the sudden change of plans.
But their decision has raised eyebrows and set tongues wagging on set among fellow cast members and crew, who have also been left ‘completely in the dark’ over the nature of the decision.
A senior soap source explained: ‘What is really odd, is that they had started filming most of the scenes, obviously with other cast members and lots of crew on set, and everyone was expecting to shoot more with Sean before he left again as part of the Gail Platt exit storyline.
‘So to suddenly be told, “We’re not continuing and we’re going to re shoot what we’ve already done with another actor” without any explanation is extremely unusual – unheard of.
‘If nothing else, the soaps hate wasting time and money – so the situation must be serious enough for them to feel carrying on is untenable – but to not tell the colleagues directly involved what is going on has really got the rumour mill fired up on set.
‘It seems to be something has been suggested to bosses about Sean after he’d already had already started.
‘But nobody knows if it is a new thing or something from the past, it’s under total lock and key.’
Sean was a stalwart of the soap from 1983 to 2013, and returned for a brief cameo in 2018, but has otherwise kept a low profile – starting a new life as a cheese maker and chef.
He was in a relationship with fellow actress Susie Fenwick from 2016, but we can reveal that the couple split some time ago despite still being linked together in recent reports.
One pal told The Mail: ‘He has lived a very unusual life, for someone who was one of the most recognisable people on British telly for decades.
‘He clearly hates attention on him.’
Sean played Martin for 20 years before he and his family emigrated to New Zealand in 2018 and he paid one final visit to Weatherfield before his departure to make his peace with David, who was upset that his dad was leaving the country.
Although the pair’s ten-year union ended when Sean’s character Martin had an affair, he is considered the most successful relationship in Gail’s previous five marriages.
In July, it was confirmed that Sean would be reprising his role as Martin, as part of Gail’s exit after 50 years on the cobbles.
As Sean picked up his first scripts to start shooting, he said: ‘It was great to be invited back to Coronation Street again, to contribute to Helen’s exit story.’
He added: ‘We’ll have a few months to catch up with Martin and Gail again, following the ebbs and flows of the unfolding storyline.
‘Playing Martin has been a joy since day one and in a way, I’ll be slipping back to where I left off, which no doubt will throw a spanner into the heart of the Platt family.
‘It’s just like slipping on an old and comfortable jumper from the back of the wardrobe… I’m looking forward to reuniting with my TV family.’
As his puzzling departure remains a mystery, longtime fans will recall how at one time Sean said he’ll never set foot on the cobbles again, after quitting in 2005 over a storyline which involved his character Martin seducing an underage girl.
The soap star bitterly fell out with bosses at the time as he refused to be involved in the plot, with Sean branding them ‘rude’ as he stepped away from the show.
The actor then went on to embark on a cheesemaking career, he launched a cheese business called Artisan Farm in 2009 before going on to write a number of recipe books.
Sean secretly split from his long-term girlfriend before his shock axing from the show.
The soap actor began dating actress Suzie Fenwick in 2016 but a source has revealed they secretly ended their relationship a few years ago.
The pair’s romance began after his 16-year marriage to his wife Gaynor ended in 2013.
A source told The Sun: ‘Sean and Susie’s relationship ended a few years back.
‘There was no bad blood and they had had a wonderful relationship during the many years they were together.’
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