Sean Wilson suddenly steps down from Corrie return as Martin Platt

Just days after Coronation Street boss Iain Macleod discussed details of Helen Worth MBE's exit storyline, it was later announced that actor Sean Wilson would be returning to Weatherfield as the iconic Martin Platt.

Sean, who played the role of Martin for 20 years between 1985 and 2005 before making a brief return six years ago, started filming his scenes on Wednesday 24th July, and was due to first appear on screen in October as part of Helen Worth’s exit storyline.

However, in a huge twist, it's now been revealed that Sean has stepped down from the soap due to 'personal reasons', meaning Corrie bosses are having to re-write the scripts for Gail's big exit.

A spokesperson for ITV/STV simply said: "Sean Wilson has stepped down from filming for personal reasons."

As he picked up his new scripts earlier this year, Sean said of his return: "It was great to be invited back to Coro St again, to contribute to Helen’s exit story. We’ll have a few months to catch up with Martin and Gail again, following the ebbs and flows of the unfolding storyline.

“Playing Martin has been a joy since day one and in a way, I’ll be slipping back to where I left off, which no doubt will throw a spanner into the heart of the Platt family. It’s just like slipping on an old and comfortable jumper from the back of the wardrobe …I’m looking forward to reuniting with my TV family.”

Although Corrie bosses didn't give too much away about Martin's role at the time, they did reveal that his son David Platt would be shocked to find his dad at the house and is immediately suspicious about his reason for coming back into their lives.

Sean first joined the popular soap way back in 1985, playing the role of Martin until 2005, before he made a final visit to the cobbles in 2018, to make peace with his son David after emigrating to New Zealand in 2018.

Who will replace Sean?

Although not yet confirmed by ITV/STV, Corrie bosses have now reporedely hired former star John Thomson, who played the role of Jesse Chadwick, as part of a frantic re-write.

Comedian and actor John first appeared on the soap back in 1990, before returning in 2008 for two years, where his character Jesse had a fling with Eileen Grimshaw, Gail's arch-nemesis.

Earlier this year, Coronation Street Executive Producer Iain Macleod spoke to the Daily Star, revealing Helen Worth's character Gail wouldn't be getting killed off after 50 years on the soap.

He told the publication: "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.

"Helen loves the storyline. Recently, she described it by saying, 'It’s the perfect ending for Gail', so I can sleep soundly at night.

"You don’t want to inflict an ending on someone after 50 years that they’re not happy with."

73-year-old Helen announced she would be leaving Corrie after 50 years earlier this year, saying 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.

“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."

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