Helen Worth has played the role of Gail Platt for 50 years

An emotional episode of Coronation Street aired Wednesday night as Gail Platt played by Helen Worth left the Cobbles. The long-standing soap character married Jesse Chadwick before the two left for a new life in France.

Gail said her goodbyes to the street with emotional scenes between her and children Nick, Sarah and David as well as mum Audrey. Viewers were particularly moved by Helen Worth’s final scene with Jack Shepherd.

David has been having a difficult time lately as he found out wife Shona cheated on him in Wednesday night’s episode. In emotional scenes Gail had a heart-to-heart with her son and told him to look after himself, calling him a “sensitive soul” before hugging him.

Fans noticed the real tears of the actors who play the characters. One fan said: “That David and Gail scene” alongside crying faces emojis. Another comment said: “Real, genuine tears there by two fine actors.”

While others noted: “You can tell that emotion from Gail and David is genuine on Jack and Helen’s part as actors” and “I was gonna say there’s some really good acting in the crying scenes today, but I guess it’s cause the actors are genuinely sad to see Gail leave after all these years.”

Gail admitted the decision to leave the role was difficult, but said reaching the 50th anniversary means it felt like the ideal time to depart. In her exit statement in June, the 73-year-old 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.” The legendary soap star added: “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.”