ITV Coronation Street changes theme tune after Gail Platt suffers cardiac arrest

As part of the storyline, the ITV soap opera partnered with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to raise awareness about heart disease following Gail Platt's cardiac arrest

Coronation Street sent fans a powerful message as its classic theme tune was changed in tonight's episode to the sound of a flatlining heartbeat following Gail Platt's cardiac arrest.

In scenes aired last week, the long-serving cast member, played by Helen Worth, was taken to hospital after a heart attack. As part of the storyline, the ITV soap opera partnered with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to raise awareness about heart disease. At the end of Sunday's episode, the credits were interrupted by a message to highlight the charity's research into prevention, diagnosis and treatment for heart and circulatory diseases.

It was voiced by BHF ambassador and former Coronation Street actor Kimberly Hart-Simpson, who played Nicky Wheatley in the soap. Wednesday's episode saw Jesse Chadwick, played by John Thomson, spot Gail breathing unsteadily and clutching her arm while searching for a bicycle pump, before phoning an ambulance which took her to hospital.

It comes after Helen, 73, who has played Platt family matriarch Gail for 50 years, announced in June she would be leaving the ITV soap this year following a "major storyline for the Platt family".

Making the announcement she was leaving in June, 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.”