Actress Helen Worth bowed out of the ITV soap after five decades on Christmas Day as Gail left Weatherfield for a new life

UK soap star Helen Worth was given an emotional send-off by the cast and crew of Coronation Street, a show she left on Christmas Day after 50 years.

Coronation Street's longstanding, long-suffering character Gail will bid farewell to Weatherfield on Christmas Day, after 50 years on the cobbles. Actress Helen Worth has stuck with the character through thick and thin since 1974, and fans have seen Gail weather many domestic dramas, romances, bust-ups and even prison.

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Coronation Street icon Helen Worth has left the soap after 50 years as Gail Platt - but she could be set for a stint on a rival soap

Helen Worth has quit her role as Gail Platt on ITV soap Coronation Street after fifty years and she sent a message to viewers after her final scenes aired tonight

Helen Worth's final scenes on Coronation Street have aired, with Gail Platt deciding to marry Jesse Chadwick and move away from the Cobbles for good.

Helen Worth has issued a farewell message after she officially exited Coronation Street. The soap star's final scenes as Gail Platt after 50 years were broadcast on tonight's emotional Christmas Day episode.