CORONATION Street cast and crew were left baffled after Sean Wilson was mysteriously summoned to a meeting at ITV’s offices — and never returned to set.
They were then shocked to learn that the popular actor, 59 — who was reviving his role as Martin Platt for his ex Gail’s widely hyped exit storyline — had been given the boot.
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Bosses at the soap are declining to offer any explanation, merely insisting that Sean — who now makes award-winning cheese for a living — has “stepped down for personal reasons”.
They did not comment any further nor expand on who will replace him.
None of his scenes with Gail, played by Helen Worth, 73, will be screened, plunging the show into crisis as the actress’ departure after 50 years will now have to be hastily rewritten.
It is also a major blow to Helen, who was understood to have been thrilled with the decision to bring back her character’s former husband Martin.
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Last night a source said: “It has come as a complete and utter shock to everyone – and his sudden exit has rocked everyone involved with Corrie.
“Sean was loving his time on the show, and he was very popular on set.
“He had filmed scenes with loads of the cast, but then suddenly he was summoned to head office, and later it filtered out he wouldn’t be returning or his scenes airing, but no explanation offered.
“Clearly it’s a major blow for bosses who must now find a new magical and happy ending for Helen – but they are confident they’ll pull it out of the bag, and give viewers something wonderful.”
Sean first appeared as Martin in Corrie back in 1985, and his character would embark on a turbulent relationship with Gail.
The actor left the soap in 2005 before training as a chef — and going on to win awards with his Saddleworth Cheese Company.
He briefly reprised his role in 2018, saying goodbye to family, including son David, before emigrating to New Zealand.
In May Helen confirmed she had signed her final contract as six-times wed Gail and would leave the soap after half a century.
The Sun then revealed in July that Sean would be back again — with Martin set to whisk Gail off into the sunset.
Despite their ten-year union ending when nurse Martin had an affair, he is considered the most successful of Gail’s multiple marriages.
Helen made her first appearance on the cobbles in 1974 as Gail Potter and would become one of the most recognisable soap stars in Britain.
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Only Corrie’s Steve McDonald, with seven, has been married more times than Gail, who has buried all but one of her husbands — Martin.
Shortly after the murder of her first spouse Brian Tilsley in 1989, Gail started going out with Martin.
They had David in 1990 before tying the knot.
Gail then forgave Martin for a fling in 1994 but his affair with fellow nurse Rebecca in 2000 ended their relationship.
Helen signed her final contract in January – taking her to the end of this year — and writers and producers immediately started planning her exit storyline.
All possibilities were discussed – including killing her off – before they decided on a happy ending.
Coronation Street’s executive producer Iain MacLeod has previously promised that the departure storyline will be “brilliant”.
Sean was loving his time on the show, and he was very popular on set
A source
He said: “Gail won’t die.
“It didn’t feel like killing her off would be right.
“Gail’s exit is a brilliant story.
“I thought, ‘What do viewers want to see’? Gail has had a hard life.
“She had a difficult childhood and some disastrous marriages.
“So, we thought, what viewers really want is a happy ending for her, so that’s what we’re doing.”
Last night a Coronation Street spokeswoman said: “Sean Wilson has stepped down from filming for personal reasons.”
Sean’s agent said the same, adding: “Neither he nor I will be making any further comment or statement.”
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Coronation Street’s 2024 shock exits
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let’s break down who’s left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.