Coronation Street legend Helen Worth ‘surprised’ as she is awarded MBE

Calli Kitson

Published June 2, 2022 9:46am Updated June 2, 2022 10:17am

Helen Worth Coronation Street — Helen has played Gail Platt since 1974 (Picture: Getty)

Coronation Street star Helen Worth has been awarded an MBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

The actress, known for playing Gail Platt in the ITV soap, has been recognised for her services to drama having played the character for nearly 48 years.

Joining the soap in 1974, Helen has been a part of many memorable Corrie storylines.

From the tram crash to Richard Hillman driving Gail, David (Jack P Shepherd) and Sarah (Tina O’Brien) into the canal, to dealing with the death of four out of her five (!) husbands, the drama has never really stopped for Gail Platt.

Most recently, Gail decided to spend time away from the cobbles for a holiday in Thailand, after admitting her children were causing her a considerable amount of stress.

Weatherfield will always be home for Gail as months later, she returned.

Reacting to the news of her MBE, Helen said: ‘It was a huge surprise to learn that I had been nominated for an MBE. To be honoured for doing something I have enjoyed so much for so many years is truly wonderful, and I am particularly delighted to receive this award in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Year.’

John Whiston, ITV’s managing Director of Continuing Drama & Head of ITV in the North, added: ‘Everyone on the show is so pleased to hear about Helen’s Jubilee honour. She has been on the show nearly 50 years and yet every time she appears the screen lights up, whether that’s scrapping with Eileen in the street, fending off a homicidal husband, sparring with her disrespectful son or poignantly summing up an emotive moment, as she did after Aidan’s suicide.