In a surprising turn of events, Coronation Street star Shaun Wilson will not be returning to the show as planned. The actor was set to reprise his role as Martin Platt as part of a storyline involving longtime co-star Helen Worth’s departure. However, it has now been confirmed that Wilson has exited the project due to personal reasons, and his return scenes will no longer air.

An ITV spokesperson revealed to Digital Spy that Wilson’s departure is due to personal issues. Wilson’s representative declined to comment further, telling The Sun that neither he nor his team would provide additional details.

Wilson’s return was eagerly anticipated, with scenes scheduled to show Martin making a surprise visit to his son David’s home at number eight. This storyline was intended to add a significant twist as Martin, who last appeared in Weatherfield in 2018 before moving to New Zealand with his partner Robin and daughter Charlotte, was set to shake up the Platt family dynamics. At the time of his return announcement, Wilson expressed his excitement about contributing to Helen Worth’s exit storyline, noting that stepping back into the role of Martin was a joy and would add unexpected drama to the Platt family.

Wilson joined Coronation Street in 1984 as Martin Platt, and his on-screen relationship with Gail, played by Helen Worth, became one of the soap’s most memorable and enduring pairings. With Helen Worth set to leave her role as Gail after 50 years, the producer Ian McLeod has assured fans that Gail’s character will not be killed off, despite the major shake-up.

This abrupt exit has led to a reworking of the planned storyline, leaving fans and viewers speculating about how Martin’s absence will affect the upcoming episodes and the conclusion of Helen Worth’s long-running character arc.