Jesse, played by John Tomson, finds Gail, played by Helen Worth, breathing unsteadily and clutching her arm and phones an ambulance(Image: ITV/Danielle Baguely)

Coronation Street fans sent powerful message as Gail's days are numbered

by · PlymouthLive

Coronation Street delivered a potent message to viewers as it altered its iconic theme tune in the latest episode, replacing it with the sound of a flatlining heartbeat following Gail Platt's on-screen cardiac arrest. Last week, audiences saw long-standing character Gail, portrayed by Helen Worth, rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack.

As part of this storyline, the ITV soap has teamed up with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to raise awareness about heart disease. At the conclusion of Sunday's episode, a message interrupting the credits spotlighted the charity's research into prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart and circulatory diseases.

This was voiced by BHF ambassador and former Coronation Street actor Kimberly Hart-Simpson, who played Nicky Wheatley in the show. In Wednesday's episode, Jesse Chadwick, played by John Thomson, noticed Gail struggling for breath and clutching her arm while looking for a bicycle pump, leading him to call an ambulance.

Gail, played by Helen Worth, struggles with her breathing and clutches her arm on a dramatic episode of Coronation Street(Image: ITV/Danielle Baguely)

This follows the announcement in June by Helen, 73, who has embodied the role of Platt family matriarch Gail for half a century, that she will be departing the ITV soap this year after a "major storyline for the Platt family".

Announcing her departure in June, she stated: "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.", reports the Mirror.