Coronation Street video reflects on 50 years of Gail

ITV have compiled a montage of memorable moments from across the decades…

Helen Worth:

“This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world. I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding.”

With only a week remaining until Helen Worth and her character Gail McIntyre, nee Potter, bid farewell to Weatherfield, Coronation Street has produced a poignant video trip that fans of The Street can also enjoy. The montage was specially created for Helen’s leaving party last month, and there wasn’t dry eye in the Bistro as Helen, cast and crew enjoyed the many highlights of her 50 years on the show.

Now viewers have the to watch the beautifully curated8-minute video and relive some of the classic moments that made Gail one of the most iconic characters the show’s history.

1974: Granada issue the first photo of ‘Gail’ billed as a friend of Tricia Hopkins

1979: Gail’s mother Audrey arrives in Weatherfield

Helen Worth:

“I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew. The past 50 years have flown by, and I don’t think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.”

From her arrival in Weatherfield in 1974, her many weddings, troublesome children and grandchildren, almost being murdered by Richard Hillman, fighting on the cobbles with arch nemesis Eileen, her complex relationship with mum Audrey and her famous monologue after Aidan’s suicide, Helen has been involved in some of the most memorable storylines of Corrie’s 64 years.

Helen first appeared on the cobbles on July 29, 1974, and is the second longest-serving continuous cast member after Bill Roache, who has played Ken since the show’s first episode on December 9, 1960. She has also accumulated the second highest tally of appearances in the soap, with 4,579 compared to Bill’s 4,841.

Gail holds the record for the woman with most marriages on the show, having tied the knot a total of six times. Steve McDonald has the honour for the males.

Golden Days: Gail with Elise Tanner and Suzie Burchall / Granada / ITV

Family matters: The Platt’s Martin, David, Gail, Nick and Sarah. David was the only child Martin and Gail had together, Sarah and Nick were of the late Brian’s loins

In 1979, she wed Brian Tilsley (Christopher Quinten) and had Nick (Ben Price) and Sarah Louise (Tina O’Brien) with him; they divorced in 1987 but remarried the following year. He was tragically killed in 1989 after being stabbed outside a nightclub. She later had a son, David (Jack P. Shepherd), with second husband Martin Platt (Sean Wilson). Gail and Martin’s marriage came to an end due to his infidelity with a nursing colleague. Gail later married Richard Hillman, who attempted to kill her family after committing two murders on the street in 2003.

In 2010, she married Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale), but the union ended tragically when he died in a boating accident while attempting to fake his own death for insurance purposes. Later, in 2015, she married Michael Rodwell (Les Dennis), but their happiness was short-lived as he passed away from a heart attack just a year later.

From her daughter Sarah’s teenage pregnancy to her ongoing feud with Eileen Grimshaw, dealing with her son David’s rebellious behaviour, and being deceived by Lewis Archer, Gail’s life has been anything but dull.

Gail’s final episode will air on Christmas Day at 7pm on ITV1, STV and on ITVX, STV Player from 7am.

First marriage, Brian and Gail

Longer marriage: Martin and Gail Platt

Serial killer: Gail married Richard Hillman

Not a happy ever after: Gail and Michael Rodwell marry

Sinking feeling: Another doomed marriage for Gail with Joe McIntyre

Lucky at last? Gail has decided to marry Jesse Chadwick on Christmas Day 2024