CORONATION Street legend Helen Worth said goodbye to the soap’s cast — by wearing
a T-shirt covered in the names of Gail Platt’s five former husbands.
The actress, who has played Gail for 50 years, was persuaded to have a proper send off
by her TV family, so they hired Nick’s Bistro and she walked through the doors to the sound of the show’s famous theme tune.
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And castmates and crew were in hysterics as she revealed the garment featuring all her former hubbies — Brian Tilsley, Martin Platt, Richard Hillman, Joe McIntyre and Michael Rodwell.
Her TV son Jack P. Shepherd, who plays David Platt, said: “I thought that was a nice touch, that was quite amusing.
“Then she gave a little speech and thanked everybody and said what a marvellous time she’d had and she’s going to miss everybody — there were lots of tears. She didn’t want a fanfare. So we kind of convinced her to do something because it was for everybody.”
Jack told the On The Sofa podcast how they then went on to have a farewell dinner in a Manchester restaurant, with all her TV family present.
Her other on-screen son Nick Tilsely, played by Ben Price, explained why they had to hire a private room to eat in.
He said: “You don’t want to make too much of it, but if you don’t have a private room, you’ve got a whole table of The Platts. It’s just awkward.
“It’s The Platts Christmas do and it just stops a place.
“It was a really personal moment for us all. I think she had a really good send-off. We’ll miss her.”
It’s no lighty, nighty nighty
I HOPE Paddy McGuinness made the most of his well deserved sit down in the CBeebies Bedtime Stories armchair.
Later this week, the TV host will read The Stompysaurus, a tale about coping with big feelings and frustration.
Paddy filmed the episode before setting off on a 300-mile ride – on a 70s Chopper bike – for Children In Need which comes to an end on Friday.
The former host of dating show Take Me Out, with top catchphrase ‘No Lighty, No Likey’, said: “What an honour to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story, it’s magical to share a story together.
“I hope little ones enjoy snuggling up with their grown-ups and watching it together.
“The book I’m reading, The Stompysaurus, is all about trying to slow down and relax when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Though for me, it’s going to be more about channelling my energy as I take on my huge cycling challenge.”
Paddy’s CBeebies Bedtime Story will air on Friday at 6.50pm on CBeebies and iPlayer.
New series incoming
CHANNEL 4’s swinging neighbours thriller will be back for a second series of The Couple Next Door, it has been confirmed.
Sam Palladio, Aggy K Adams, Annabel Scholey and Sendhil Ramamurthy take the leading roles, with Hugh Dennis back as creepy voyeur Alan.
Bill has fame in the bag
IT’S not just selfies that fans of SAS hero Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham are after when they meet him – but to have a bag thrown over their head and be shouted at, too.
The star of Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins is famous for beasting recruits, putting hoods over them to lead them blind around camp and yelling at them.
Now fans want him to do the same to them.
Billy revealed: “We do corporate events and every time I put a bag over some crazy woman’s head, she’d go, ‘Will you shout at me?’ That’s bonkers!”
Fed-up parents also want him to discipline their kids. He added: “I’ll also get parents going, ‘Will you shout at my son or my daughter?’.”
Billy is currently on tour for his motivational show Always A Little Further.
Romcom release
PARAMOUNT+ romcom The Road Trip, starring Emma Appleton and Laurie Davidson, begins on Boxing Day.
Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, it follows Addie, her ex Dylan and her sister Deb on an unforgettable road trip across Spain to a friend’s wedding.
