Helen Worth has spoken publicly for the first time about the real reason she decided to leave Coronation Street after five decades. The actress, who played Gail Rodwell for 50 years, announced her departure in June 2024 and bowed out on Christmas Day as her character married Jesse Chadwick, played by John Thomson, before moving to France.
Appearing at an event titled An Evening with Helen Worth at Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre on Sunday, the star explained that she had grown tired during her last twelve months on the cobbles. She told the audience, hosted by former co-star Julie Hesmondhalgh, that the first 49 years were a dream, but admitted the final period took its toll.
"It was only a bit towards the end when I got a bit tired. But the first, how many years? 49 years, were a dream," Worth said. She added that her on-screen final husband John Thomson was "absolutely gorgeous" to her, saying: "By then I was rattling a bit. It was around about 4,000 episodes and I was rattling a little bit. And he was very sweet."
The actress also reflected on her enduring affection for the soap, noting she never wanted her time on it to change because she "just kept loving it". She added: "There's not many actors can say that." When Hesmondhalgh brought up the chaotic filming schedule, Worth agreed it had become even more demanding in her later years, with scenes from different episodes being shot on the same day.
Although Gail has departed Weatherfield, viewers still hear of her adventures in France, and the character made a brief video cameo last Christmas to send greetings to her family. Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
