Coronation Street legend signs new deal that will see her take Bill Roache’s crown

CORRIE’S Helen Worth has signed a new deal which is likely to see her overtake Bill Roache’s record number of appearances.

Helen, who plays Gail Platt, has 4,453 — 320 episodes behind the 92-year-old’s total of 4,773 as Ken Barlow.

Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, has been part of Corrie since the first episode on December 9, 1960 and has racked up 4,774 appearances
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Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, has been part of Corrie since the first episode on December 9, 1960 and has racked up 4,774 appearancesCredit: Rex
Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt, is breathing down his neck with 4,453 episodes, according to screen bibliography IMDB
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Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt, is breathing down his neck with 4,453 episodes, according to screen bibliography IMDBCredit: Rex

But her rolling yearly contract — worth as much as £250,000 — should see her move ahead as she is appearing more frequently.

A source said: “Coronation Street has some of the longest-serving stars across all of TV but Bill’s record was always thought to be untouchable. Helen’s deal means she’s within touching distance. It’s her involvement in so many big storylines that gives her such an appearance rate.”

Bill appeared in the first episode in December 1960.

Helen, 73, first appeared in July 1974.

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She said of playing six-times wed Gail: “I don’t ask questions, I just get on with the job.”

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