ITV Coronation Street’s David Platt (Image: ITV)
Coronation Street’s stalwart Jack P. Shepherd has revealed his successful push for a significant alteration to Helen Worth’s final episode as the iconic Gail Platt.
Helen, who has portrayed Gail Platt since 1974, became a cornerstone of the soap with her character embroiled in numerous high-profile plots, including tumultuous family sagas and sensational storylines involving murder and infidelity.
Gail’s dramatic exit is scheduled for Christmas Day, amidst her wedding plans with Jesse Chadwick (played by Jesse Thompson), leaving fans in suspense about whether she will say ‘I do’.
Jack, who plays Gail’s on-screen son David Platt, wasn’t satisfied with the original send-off scene for his TV mum.
In an interview with Plymouth Live, he disclosed that he insisted on a rewrite to ensure all of Gail’s on-screen family were present for her last moment on set.
Coronation Street Jack P. Shepherd reveals his demand for bosses on Helen Worth’s last day (Image: ITV)
He recounted how he challenged the show’s producers, saying: “Her last scene filming was in the Platts with me and Julia [Shona]. And I went ‘No, no, her last scene she films has to with be all of us’.”
He pressed the writers to create a fitting farewell, adding: “And they were like ‘there isn’t one where you’re all together’ and I was like ‘Well write one!’
“So they did they write one, and I went ‘We don’t have to do anything, just make sure we’re all together in the Platts. Please, for when she finally goes, don’t just have someone random with her.’ And luckily they were able to do it and schedule it so we were all together.”
Coronation Street Jack P. Shepherd reveals his demand for bosses on Helen Worth’s last day (Image: ITV)
He added: “It was very emotional for the whole building. There were 500 people in the studio who came down to say goodbye, I’ve never seen that before.”
Moreover, Jack hinted that viewers can anticipate some heart-wrenching scenes from Gail’s final episode. Gail’s three children, David, Nick and Sarah each have their own poignant moments with their mother to bid farewell separately.
Jack revealed: “Even in rehearsals I couldn’t do it because I knew I only had one take at it, and then there’ll be tears and there won’t be anything else left.”