Coronation Street viewers have finally been given the definitive explanation for one of the soap's longest-running character quirks: why David Platt calls his mother by her first name, Gail.
A Turbulent Mother-Son Relationship
The dynamic between Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her son David, portrayed by Jack P. Shepherd, has been famously fractious for decades. Their history is littered with dramatic confrontations, including a notorious incident where David pushed Gail down the stairs.
Gail departed the famous Weatherfield cobbles last year after a monumental 50-year stint, with her exit airing on Christmas Day. She left for a new life in France with her seventh husband, Jesse Chadwick, played by John Thompson.
The Social Media Theory and Actor's Confirmation
For years, fans have speculated online about the reason behind David's habitual use of 'Gail'. A prevalent theory suggested it stemmed from his discovery that Gail once considered aborting him during her pregnancy.
This fan speculation has now been confirmed by the actor himself. During a Q&A session on X, formerly Twitter, Jack P. Shepherd was directly asked, "Why do you call your mum Gail?" His revealing reply was succinct: "David calls Gail 'Gail' when he doesn't respect her."
Gail's Brief Return and Family Updates
Although Gail left the street, she has kept in touch with her family. In a recent storyline twist, David learned he is expecting his first child with wife Shona, which will be Gail's sixth grandchild.
Furthermore, in a special festive cameo, Gail is set to make a brief return to screens this Christmas Day. She will send a video message to the Platt family to mark David's birthday, ensuring the matriarch's presence is still felt on the cobbles.
Reflecting on the sprawling Platt clan, Shepherd joked about the next generation, stating: "There's a lot of us. And you can look at the kids now, and there's three, so, there's mine, Nick's and Sarah's replacements."
Coronation Street continues to air on ITV1 and ITVX every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8pm.
