Coronation Street’s Sean Wilson was axed from soap after a ‘concern was raised to bosses’ – just weeks after his surprise return as Martin Platt
Sean Wilson was abruptly axed from Coronation Street midway through his planned comeback after concerns were raised about him showing up to bosses, MailOnline can reveal.
Producers called the actor, who plays Martin Platt, into a meeting shortly after he began filming their next story arc, telling him on the spot that they would no longer be using him. They also pulled the plug on the remaining production plans.
ITV bosses have so far only confirmed that there were “personal reasons” behind his shock departure.
However, a spokesman for the 59-year-old actor, whose return to the cobbles has long been rumored, declined to comment or provide an explanation for the sudden change of plans.
But their decision has caused an uproar and led to heated discussions on set among other cast and crew members, who have also been left “completely in the dark” about the nature of the decision.
Sean Wilson, 59, who plays Martin Platt, was abruptly booted from Coronation Street midway through his planned comeback – after concerns were raised about him showing up to bosses
Producers called the actor into a meeting, long after he had begun filming their next storylines, to tell him on the spot that they would no longer be using him (pictured with Helen Worth in 1989)
A senior source at the soap explained: ‘What’s really strange is that they had already started filming most of the scenes, obviously with other cast members and a lot of crew on set, and everyone was expecting more to be filmed with Sean before he left again as part of the storyline around Gail Platt’s departure.
“So to suddenly be told, ‘We’re not going to continue and we’re going to reshoot what we’ve already done with another actor,’ without any explanation, is extremely unusual – unheard of.
‘If there’s one thing the soaps hate, it’s wasting time and money. So the situation has to be serious enough that they feel that continuing with it is untenable. But the fact that they’re not telling the people directly involved what’s going on has really started the rumour mill on set.
‘It seems like something was hinted to the bosses about Sean after he had already started.
‘But no one knows whether it’s something new or something from the past, it’s completely secret.’
Sean was a regular fixture on the soap from 1983 to 2013, returning for a brief cameo in 2018. He otherwise kept a low profile and started a new life as a cheesemaker and chef.
He has been in a relationship with actress Susie Fenwick since 2016, but we can reveal that the couple has been broken up for some time now, despite recent reports suggesting that they are still together.
A friend told The Mail: ‘He’s led a very unusual life for someone who was one of the most recognisable people on British television for decades.
ITV bosses have so far only confirmed that there were ‘personal reasons’ behind his shock departure
However, a spokesman for the actor, whose return to the cobbles has been widely followed, declined to comment or offer any explanation for the sudden change of plans.
But their decision has raised eyebrows and prompted cheers on set from other cast and crew members, who were also left “completely in the dark” about the nature of the decision (pictured with Helen in 1998)
“He clearly hates having attention focused on him.”
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.”
Sean secretly split from girlfriend Suzie Fenwick (pictured) before surprisingly pulling out of the show
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.
Sean was secretly dating his girlfriend before he decided to leave the show much to his surprise.
The soap actor began dating actress Suzie Fenwick in 2016, but a source has revealed they secretly ended their relationship a few years ago.
The couple’s romance began after his 16-year marriage to wife Gaynor ended in 2013.
A source said The sun: ‘Sean and Susie’s relationship ended a few years ago.
“There was no bad blood and they had a great relationship throughout the many years they were together.”