Coronation Street aired the return of legendary Gail Platt in emotional Christmas Day scenes on Thursday.
The much-loved character, played by Helen Worth, 74, bowed out of the cobbles after tying the knot with sixth husband Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson).
As Weatherfield celebrated the festive season, viewers were treated to a brief reappearance from Gail.
She appeared in a video message recorded for her family – which also acknowledged son David’s (Jack P Shepherd) birthday, as it falls on the 25th.
Speaking in the clip, Gail said: ‘Hello, it’s me! I speak to you today on, what is, of course, our first wedding anniversary.
‘Thank you, David for my extra large jar of olives. Very funny! I hope you’ve all been having the most wonderful day and, of course, David, happy birthday.
Coronation Street legend Gail Platt returned for a heartwarming Christmas Day cameo – a year after leaving the ITV soap
The character appeared in a special recorded message for her family as they marked the festive season
Viewers were thrilled by Gail’s reappearance – with her son David seen looking emotional over his mother’s words
‘How can I be 35 years since I first held you in my arms? I hope by now you’ve unwrapped your SleepAid.
‘I just wanted to say that although I may be far away, you’re all very much in my thoughts. David and Shona, you and your baby are utmost in my heart.
‘Life is never easy, life is never straightforward, but we are a strong, resilient family and we can weather any storm.
‘So until we next speak, as the famous carol says, the hopes and fears are all the years are met in thee tonight. I wish you all a very happy Christmas.’
Fans were very pleased with Gail’s cameo, writing on X: ‘So lovely to have a Gail cameo on Christmas. This was the only scene I enjoyed tonight. David looked emotional.
‘[Love heart emoji] The Platts. Best family on the show;’
‘It was lovely to see Gail and indeed it reminded me of past Queens speeches;’
‘Sounded like the queen’s speech there, Gail. Great to see her again;’
‘You can even see David got emotional about Gail.’
Many fans shared their delight at seeing Gail briefly back on the Corrie cobbles after her festive departure following a 50-year stint
Gail’s family – including son David, daughter-in-law Shona and grand-daughter Bethany – gathered to watch her message
Helen ended her five decade stint as Gail last year, with the character leaving after marrying Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson)
It was first reported last month that Gail was set to make a festive cameo – after exiting the soap following a 50-year-stint.
A source told The Sun at the time: ‘Corrie bosses are keeping the exact details under wraps but it’s understood she takes the chance on Christmas Day to connect with the family.
‘And it could be more timely as the Platts find themselves in yet another drama, one that they’ve had to deal with by themselves since the Platts’ matriarch moved abroad.
‘It’s a move which is guaranteed to thrill soap fans, who wondered whether we’d ever catch a glimpse of show favourite Gail on the cobbles again.’
At the time of announcing her exit last year, Helen said in a statement: ‘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.’
Executive Producer Iain Macleod added: ‘The words ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ get used a lot these days but they genuinely do apply to Gail and to Helen Worth.’
‘However, given her humility, I know Helen won’t thank me for saying so! In Helen’s hands, Gail has been a huge part of Coronation Street for five decades and at the centre of some of the most memorable storylines – often deriving from her catastrophically bad luck in choosing husbands!’
Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and ITVX.
