Coronation Street fans shocked to discover Gail and Jesse’s real-life age difference as Helen Worth’s exit storyline begins

CORONATION Street fans were shocked to discover Gail Platt and Jesse Chadwick’s age difference in real life.

The character – played by John Thomson – recently made his big return to the ITV soap as Helen Worth’s exit storyline began.

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After a 50-year tenure on the long-running drama series, actress Gail Platt is set to say goodbye to the cobbles.

But it looks like she may have a new love interest in the form of Jesse, much to Eileen Grimshaw’s (Sue Cleaver) chagrin.

He first appeared on Coronation Street in 2008, before becoming one of the main residents the following year.

More than a decade later, he returned, after it was revealed the pair had a fling on holiday in Thailand.

But soap fans couldn’t help but wonder about the age of the supposedly loved-up duo as they took to social media.

One viewer wrote on Facebook: “Just wondering what the age difference is between Jesse and Gail.”

Users of the Corrie fan page were completely taken by surprise when a fan posted the actors’ real ages.

They wrote: “In real lifeGail is 73 years old. Jesse is 55. So 18 years difference.

Shockwaves then coursed through the fanbase as they flocked to the platform in pure disbelief.

“Wow I can’t believe this,” wrote a third fan.

As a fourth added: “No way is she 73.”

Viewers watched as Jesse worried about Gail when he unceremoniously showed up in Weatherfield with almost no warning.

He thought she might not be able to cope after her granddaughter Bethany (Lucy Fallon) had a disastrous liposuction procedure abroad.

Rising medical costs meant Gail had to take out a loan so Bethany could return from Türkiye after her failed cosmetic surgery.

Helen Worth leaves Corrie – My opinion

By Carl Greenwood, Soap Editor

Actress Helen made her first appearance on the paving stones in 1973 as Gail Potter – and has lived most of her life in them and what a life it has been.

Loved by millions of people over the last half century, Helen created one of British television’s most iconic characters.

Second only to Ken Barlow’s co-star Bill Roache, Helen has appeared in more episodes of a television series than anyone else.

She had more marriages – and surnames – than almost anyone else and buried several husbands – all but one of whom ended up dead.

Three children, four grandchildren and a serial killer husband (and brother) – Gail has been at the forefront of Corrie for decades.

She’s been arrested, accused of murder, almost murdered several times, survived serial killers, her own children and a worrying addiction to olives.

Not to mention countless street fights with enemy Eileen Grimshaw.

But through it all, she remained a Corrie icon and her departure will leave a colossal hole in the rocks – much bigger than the hole that opened up in her backyard.

Coronation Street’s new boss Kate Brooks has her work cut out for her to give Helen and Gail the epic goodbye she deserves.

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Coronation Street is available to watch on ITV1 and stream on ITVX.