Coronation Street have announced Sean Wilson is back filming on the ITV soap as

Cobbles legend Martin Platt returns. Sean has played Martin for 20 years from 1985 to 2005

but he will make a shock return to the ITV soap later this year as part of Gail Platt’s

final scenes on the Cobbles when Helen Worth quits her role after 50 years.

The first details have now been revealed about Gail’s exit from Weatherfield as Sean begins filming today. Martin’s son David will be left puzzled to find his dad in the house and is suspicious about his reason for his return. How will the family react to seeing Martin back in the UK – and just why has he returned to the Cobbles?

Speaking about his return to the ITV soap as part of Gail Platt’s exit, Sean shared his excitement to be back. He said: “It was great to be invited back to Coronation 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.”

Gail and Martin Platt are an iconic couple of Weatherfield

Of slipping back into his role, he added: “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.”

Martin made his main exit from Weatherfield back in 2018 when he decided to emigrate to New Zealand with his family. What brings him back to the UK – and how will it connect with Gail’s departure?

Helen Worth will be departing her role later this year after five decades. She said: “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.”b