Coronation Street‘s Sean Wilson was ‘summoned to head office’ before leaving for ‘personal reasons’, according to reports.
The actor, 59, who plays Martin Platt in the soap, was pictured posing with scripts just weeks ago, with his rep announcing this week he had quit for ‘personal reasons.’
Sean was set to reprise his role as Martin in October as part of his ex-wife Gail’s exit as actress Helen Worth, 73, prepares to retire from the cobbles.
Now, none of his scenes will be aired, with Gail’s entire exit storyline now being frantically rewritten by bosses.
As reported by The Sun, the actor was called in for a meeting with bosses and left with ‘no explanation offered’ to his co-stars.
A source told the publication: ‘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.
‘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.’
An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Sean Wilson has stepped down from filming for personal reasons.’
Sean’s agent told the publication: ‘Neither he nor I will be making any further comment or statement.’
Sean played Martin for 20 years from 1985 to 2005, 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.
In July, it was confirmed that Sean would be reprising his role as Martin Platt, 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.’
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