GAIL Platt made a sensational return to Coronation Street tonight a year after actress Helen Worth quit the soap.
The actress pulled the plug on her 50 years in Weatherfield last Christmas after deciding it was time to slow down and enjoy life a bit more.
But just a year later bosses tempted her back with an appearance on the cobbles with a video message for her family.
In the touching scene, she told her family: “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. How can it be 35 years since I first held you in my arms?
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“I just wanted to say that though maybe I am far away, you’re all very much in my thoughts.
“And David and Shona, you and your baby are upmost in my heart. Life is never easy, life is never straightforward but we are a strong resilient family and we can weather any storm.
“I love you very much.”
Bosses managed to convince Helen to reprise her role after sending her the potential scene and making a very tempting offer.
A source said: “It was a really lovely gesture from Helen to film the scene.
“She was sent the script and asked if it was something she would consider doing and she jumped at the chance.
“It helps that she could film it at home and not have to travel to Manchester but either way she would have done it.
“It does make it clear however that it may not be the last time fans see Gail – perhaps one day even back on those famous cobbles.”
Earlier this year The Sun exclusively revealed how Helen had made her return to filming for the special episode.
Despite reservations about leaving her family behind, Gail had chosen to exit Weatherfield to live with her sixth husband Jesse, played by Cold Feet and The Fast Show star John Thomson, 56.
They married in the Viaduct Bistro — but the wedding was nearly called off when it was revealed that her husband-to-be was moving to the south of France to convert a villa using laundered money.
But at the last minute she agreed to tie the knot and in tearful scenes the couple drove off into the sunset, with many devotees speculating that she would return in the future and be reunited again with her children Nick, David and Sarah.
When she left Corrie, Helen posted a message on social media thanking fans for their support through her decades on the show, and added: “There’ll be more Platt stories, and I hope you’ll be watching.”
