AXED Coronation Street star Sean Wilson SLAMMED the soap just months before his shock sacking.
The Sun exclusively revealed today how the actor – who was reviving his role as Martin Platt for his ex Gail’s widely hyped exit storyline — had been given the boot.
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Cast and crew were left baffled after Sean, 59, was mysteriously summoned to a meeting at ITV’s offices and never returned to set.
The Sun revealed how Corrie bosses are now refusing to offer any real explanation for his departure, other than he had “stepped down for personal reasons”.
However, in an unearthed interview from February, Sean blasted Corrie for losing its humour while “trying to solve world issues”.
The actor – who has since switched careers to be an award-winning cheese-maker – said the writers have replaced the soap’s funny storylines, in a bid to focus on less relatable topics, which have failed to attract their target audience.
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“You could walk down the street on a Wednesday or a Friday and hear people laughing with their windows open because of the great writing and the great acting,” he told the Daily Star.
“Nowadays it seems very much issue-centric…they’re trying to solve the world’s issues, which they’re not going to.”
Sean insisted the Corrie viewers would prefer to tune in for storylines about affairs and neighbourly feuds than constantly be lectured to.
The Sun revealed how Sean had been sensationally axed after he was brought in as part of actress Helen Worth’s exit storline.
The Gail Platt actress is leaving the soap after 50 years, and Sean was meant to be playing a part in the plot.
Now the soap has been plunged into crisis, with the storyline having to be rewritten.
It is also a major blow to actress Helen, who was understood to have been thrilled with the decision to bring back her character’s former husband Martin.
A source told The Sun: “It has come as a complete and utter shock to everyone – and his sudden exit has rocked everyone involved with Corrie.
“Sean was loving his time on the show, and he was very popular on set.
“He had filmed scenes with loads of the cast, but then suddenly he was summoned to head office, and later it filtered out he wouldn’t be returning or his scenes airing, but no explanation offered.
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“Clearly it’s a major blow for bosses who must now find a new magical and happy ending for Helen – but they are confident they’ll pull it out of the bag, and give viewers something wonderful.”
Sean first appeared as Martin in Corrie back in 1985, and his character would embark on a turbulent relationship with Gail.
The actor left the soap in 2005 before training as a chef — and going on to win awards with his Saddleworth Cheese Company.
He briefly reprised his role in 2018, saying goodbye to family, including son David, before emigrating to New Zealand.
In May, Helen confirmed she had signed her final contract as six-times wed Gail and would leave the soap after half a century.
The Sun then revealed in July that Sean would be back again — with Martin set to whisk Gail off into the sunset.
Despite their ten-year union ending when nurse Martin had an affair, he is considered the most successful of Gail’s multiple marriages.
Helen made her first appearance on the cobbles in 1974 as Gail Potter and would become one of the most recognisable soap stars in Britain.
Last night a Coronation Street spokeswoman said: “Sean Wilson has stepped down from filming for personal reasons.”
Sean’s agent said the same, adding: “Neither he nor I will be making any further comment or statement.”
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Coronation Street’s 2024 shock exits
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let’s break down who’s left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.
