Legendary Coronation Street star’s exit sealed as kind gesture leads to departure after five decades
The Platt family are at a complete loss of how to raise money for Bethany’s (Lucy Fallon) medical bill in Coronation Street next week, leading to a shock offer from Gail (Helen Worth) that could pave the way for her exit.
As previously announced, the Corrie icon is set to leave the ITV soap after 50 years before Christmas.
While her full exit plot is still under wraps, she will move to help her granddaughter in forthcoming scenes after Bethany underwent a botched procedure in Turkey.
The budding journalist has been left with a permanent stoma bag after she decided to have liposuction while on a work trip to write about a new cosmetic surgery clinic.
After the op went wrong, she has not been able to return home as her travel insurance will not cover her £25k bill as she did not declare the surgery to the insurance company.
When Daniel Osbourne’s (Rob Mallard) plan to raise the money through a crowdfunder runs into problems next week, he contemplates using some of son Bertie’s trust fund money to help his girlfriend, but father Ken Barlow (Bill Roache) urges him to think again.
Meanwhile, it’s also revealed Bethany’s mum Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien) has contacted her ex-lover and former drug lord Damon Hay (Ciaran Griffiths) for the cash.
However, Gail seemingly comes to the rescue in forthcoming scenes when she suggests selling the family home to raise the money.
David Platt (Jack P Shepherd) is horrified at the suggestion, pointing out that they would be homeless – will Gail go through with it?
Actress Tina O’Brien, who plays Sarah, says of Gail’s offer: ‘Sarah definitely feels a mix of emotions, she’s gutted and guilty that it’s come to this but she also feels really relieved and understood from her family, especially Gail.
‘She feels a lot of emotions, especially because she’s also carrying that burden for Bethany because she knows how devastated she will feel when she finds out what people have been trying to do to look after her.’
It seems Gail will go ahead with the plan, as earlier this month, eagle-eyed Corrie fans spotted a for sale sign outside of No. 8 in a picture Dee-Dee Bailey actress Channique Sterling-Brown shared on Instagram.
With Gail soon to leave the cobbles behind, could No. 8 have new owners come the New Year?