Coronation Street’s Sean Wilson said soap ‘no longer had great acting or writing’ ahead of being ‘summoned to head office’ and ‘quitting for personal reasons’ weeks after big comeback

Coronation Street’s Sean Wilson claimed the soap no longer had “great acting or script” ahead of its now-cancelled comeback.

The actor, 59, was set to reprise his role as Martin Platt in October as part of his ex-wife Gail’s farewell, with actress Helen Worth, 73, preparing to retire.

He reportedly left the show abruptly after being “summoned to HQ” and subsequently resigned due to “personal reasons”, forcing Gail’s entire exit storyline to be hastily rewritten.

Earlier this year, Sean said that soap operas are now “issue-driven” and that they try to solve world problems but fail. Compared to when he was on the show, between 1985 and 2005, viewers were watching the show in droves and were “both laughing and crying.”

Narrate The daily star: ‘I think the soap world is a different vehicle these days. I think I was part of the British soap industry at its best, the halcyon years when there were 18 or 21 million people watching’

The actor is set to reprise his role as Martin Platt in October as part of his ex-wife Gail’s departure, while actress Helen Worth, 73, prepares to retire (pictured together in the show)

‘You could walk down the street on a Wednesday or Friday and you could hear people laughing with their windows open because of the great writing and the great acting that really spoke to the nation. I don’t think it does that as much these days.’

He continued, “People don’t have to watch it anymore. They were all on a Segway; you were five minutes away from laughing and five minutes away from crying. Now it seems very issue-centric, they’re trying to solve the world’s problems, which they’re not going to do.”

As reported by The sunSean was called into a meeting with the bosses, but received ‘no explanation’ from his fellow players.

A source told the publication: “It was a complete and utter shock to everyone – and his sudden departure has shocked everyone involved with Corrie. Sean loved his time on the show and was very popular on set.

‘He had filmed scenes with a lot of actors, but then he was suddenly called to the head office. Later it became clear that he would not return and that his scenes would not be broadcast, but he gave no explanation.

‘It’s clearly a huge setback for the bosses who now have to come up with a new, magical, happy ending for Helen. But they’re confident they can pull it off and give viewers something great.’

An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Sean Wilson has stepped down from filming for personal reasons.’

Sean’s agent told the publication: “Neither he nor I will be making any further comment or statement.”

Earlier this year, Sean claimed that soap stories were now ‘issue-oriented’ and that they tried to solve world problems but failed, compared to his own time on the show (pictured on the show in 2003)

He recalls a time when audiences would come en masse to watch and go home ‘laughing and crying’ (pictured with co-stars Helen Worth and Tina O’Brien)

Reports say Sean was called into a meeting with bosses and left without “any explanation” to his castmates (pictured with scripts earlier this year)

Sean played Martin for 20 years before he and his family emigrated to New Zealand in 2018. He made one last visit to Weatherfield before leaving to make peace with David, who was angry that his father was leaving the country.

Although the couple’s decade-long union ended when Sean’s character Martin had an affair, it is considered the most successful relationship of Gail’s five previous marriages.

In July it was confirmed that Sean would reprise his role as Martin, as part of Gail’s farewell after 50 years on the cobbles.

As Sean picked up his first scripts for filming, he said: ‘It was great to be invited back to Coronation Street and to contribute to Helen’s exit story.’

He added: ‘We have a few months to talk to Martin and Gail again and follow the ups and downs of the story.

‘It’s been a pleasure playing Martin from day one and in a way I’m now picking up where I left off, which will undoubtedly throw a spanner in the works for the Platt family.

“It’s like pulling an old, comfy sweater out of the closet… I can’t wait to be reunited with my TV family.”

However, this week a spokesperson for the soap said the actor was leaving for “personal reasons” and that no scenes featuring Sean will air. Gail’s entire exit story is now being hastily rewritten by bosses.

While his mysterious departure remains a mystery, loyal fans will remember how Sean once said he would never set foot on the cobbles again, after quitting in 2005 over a storyline that saw his character Martin seduce an underage girl.

The soap star had a heated row with bosses at the time after refusing to get involved in the story, with Sean calling them ‘rude’ when he pulled out of the show.

The actor then went on to work as a cheesemaker, opening a cheese company called Artisan Farm in 2009. He went on to write a number of recipe books.

Helen, who played his ex-wife Gail, retired from the role this year after 50 years on the cobbles (pictured in 2019)

He briefly reprised his role in a couple of episodes in 2018 as part of the David Platt rape storyline, with a source telling the Daily Star at the time that producers had ‘pulled no punches’ to lure him back.

Helen, who played his ex-wife Gail, retired from her role this year after 50 years on the cobbles.

ITV confirmed she would begin filming her exit story and that the “emotional” scenes will hit screens later this year.