Sean Wilson’s sensational exit from the ITV series as Martin Platt has forced Coronation Street to rewrite Helen Worth’s departure scene.
Sean, who first appeared on the show in 1985, was due to reprise the role as part of director Gail Platt’s final storyline later this year, when Helen leaves the ITV series after 50 years with the Cobble family, at Christmas.
Martin was originally due to return to say goodbye to Gail, but that has now fallen through, with soap bosses reportedly scrambling to rewrite his departure story.
Coronation Street has confirmed that Sean will not be appearing in the soap as Martin later this year. A Coronation Street spokesman said in a statement that “Sean Wilson has withdrawn from filming for personal reasons,” and claimed that Helen is very disappointed that Sean will not be taking part in her departure storyline. A source claims: “It was a complete shock to everyone and his sudden departure has shocked everyone connected to Corrie.”
“Sean loved his time on the show and was very popular on set. He had been filming scenes with many of the cast but was suddenly called back to head office and then it was leaked that he would not be returning or that his scenes would air, but no explanation was given for this,” the source added. The Sun added, “Of course it’s a huge blow for bosses who now have to find a new magical happy ending for Helen but we’re sure they will get it done and give viewers a fantastic one.”
Martin met the soap when he was 16, played by 20-year-old Sean. After completing a baking course at Salford Polytechnic, he got a part-time job at Jim’s Cafe where he met Jenny Bradley. Jenny, a student, was initially upset when Martin rejected her but eventually agreed to take her on. They borrowed a car from Jenny’s legal guardian, Rita, but disaster struck when she persuaded young Martin to drive it down a country road before it overturned.
The relationship did not last long. Martin had a tumultuous love life with many people, including Gina Seddon, sister of Sally Webster. Martin worked at a petrol station before becoming a porter at Weatherfield General Hospital.
His relationship with Gail Teasley began in 1989 after her husband Brian was murdered and Martin offered her a shoulder to cry on. She became pregnant in 1990 but left the baby after having a last-minute abortion. Their son David Platt was born on Christmas Day 1990.
The couple married in 1991, before Ms Martin trained as a nurse. During his training, he met fellow student Carmel Finnan, who he later claimed had an affair with. He backed away from the affair, but later had Gail cheating on him with another woman.
Sean played Martin until 2005, when he left the series with another girlfriend, Robyn, to the dismay of his son David. He occasionally reprised the role, last appearing in 2018, but was due to return again for Gail’s exit storyline.
Details about Sean’s decision to leave the soap had not been revealed before his scenes aired, but a few weeks ago Sean spoke of his delight at being back. He said: “I was delighted to be invited back to Coronation Street to contribute to Helen’s exit storyline. It will be a few months before I meet Martin and Gail again and follow the ups and downs of the plot as it unfolds.
“Playing Martin has been a joy for me from day one and will no doubt be a huge hit with the Pratt family as I’ll be picking up where I left off, in a way. It’ll be like putting on a comfy old sweater you found in the back of your closet.”
