Following her departure from the iconic cobbles of Coronation Street, actress Helen Worth is reportedly on the lookout for a new challenge in a different soap opera.
Familiar to ITV soap fans as the beloved Gail Platt since 1974, Helen has endeared herself with an evocative depiction of a character deeply woven into plots spanning murders, passionate romances, and tense family sagas.
All of which has played out alongside her on-screen children David (Jack P.Shepherd), Sarah (Tina O’Brien), and Nick Tilsley (Ben Price). In June, the actress, 73, announced her retirement from the series that had been her professional home for a remarkable fifty years.
She said at the time, “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.”
Helen added as reported by OK!, “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.”
Gail’s emotional departure was marked in the Christmas Day special, as viewers bid farewell to her character who set off for new beginnings with Jesse Chadwick. Since her exit from Corrie, there’s been speculation she might appear in another soap.
Betting company BetIdeas is offering odds of 7/1 on the actress making an appearance in a competing series. Dom Aldworth from Slingo, where he is Head of Brand Marketing, believes that Helen moving to another soap “would be a natural progression”.
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He commented: “One of the most iconic figures in British soap history, Helen Worth’s portrayal of Gail Platt has made her a household name. Over decades, she’s expertly embodied the role of Gail, navigating turbulent family dramas and lighthearted moments.
“Her exit from Corrie will undoubtedly leave a void in Weatherfield, but it also presents her with exciting opportunities.
When pondering potential new soaps for Helen, Dom suggested: “EastEnders, with its high-stakes and emotionally driven plots, could allow Helen to explore a grittier side of her acting. It’s easy to imagine her as a formidable matriarch or a mysterious new arrival in Albert Square, tying into major storylines with characters like the Mitchells or the Panesars.”
Emmerdale could also be on the cards for Helen. Dom remarked: “She could play a strong-willed figure navigating the show’s trademark family tensions and rural intrigue.”
However, Helen’s career prospects extend beyond acting. As per Gambling.com, she’s a strong contender with odds of 5/6 to become a part of the Loose Women panel. There’s also a possibility she might showcase her culinary prowess on Celebrity Bake Off, with odds standing at 6/4.
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