News of his mysterious sacking has sent Coronation Street fans into a frenzy, with Sean Wilson previously vowing never to return to the ITV soap.
According to reports, the 59-year-old has suddenly left the series, forcing bosses to scrap the return storyline for his character Martin Platt.
It comes just weeks after he announced his big return six years after his last appearance. The scenes that have now been delayed will first air in October as part of Helen Worth’s farewell storyline.
But as his mysterious departure remains a mystery, loyal fans will recall 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.
With news of his mysterious resignation leaving Coronation Street fans in stitches, it can be noted that Sean Wilson previously vowed never to return to the ITV soap (pictured in Coronation Street in 2005)
According to reports, the 59-year-old has suddenly left the show, forcing bosses to scrap his character Martin Platt’s return storyline [pictured in July]
He told the Daily star at the time: ‘I will act again – but never with Coronation Street.
“They were very rude to me when I left. I would rather walk down another street, even if I had a nail in my shoe.”
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.
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.
They said: ‘They must have gone to great lengths to convince him. Most stars leave quietly, no matter how bitter they feel about leaving. But Sean didn’t.
‘He didn’t mince his words about the reason for his departure and the fact that he would never return.’
However, in 2022 Sean has insisted again that he will never return to Coronation Street as a cast member after falling in love with his new career as a cheesemaker.
Sean said the soap’s bosses insisted his character get involved in a storyline that saw Martin branded a “paedophile” in 2005, even though he felt “deeply uncomfortable” with it.
As his mysterious departure remains a mystery, loyal fans will recall 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. [pictured with Helen Worth]
He told the Daily Star at the time: ‘I will act again – but never with Coronation Street. ‘They were very rude to me when I left. I would rather walk down another street, even if I had a nail in my shoe.’
He told The sun: ‘I didn’t want to do it and suggested that they hire another actor, but the producer kept insisting.
‘It wasn’t for me, so I said to them, ‘No, I’m not going to do that storyline and I suggest you reconsider.’
“A couple of weeks later they came back and said, ‘No, we do feel like this story is going to continue.'”
Sean told bosses he was leaving the series and departed in 2005, although his character was in a relationship with 16-year-old Katy Harris (played by Lucy-Jo Hudson) before his departure.
Sean said it was then announced that he had been fired, which he said was not the case.
Meanwhile, Sean’s entire 2024 return storyline has now been scrapped, and according to The sunSean’s departure came as a huge shock. The cast didn’t know why he was leaving.
He briefly reprised his role in 2018 for a handful of episodes as part of the David Platt male rape storyline, with a source telling the Daily Star at the time that producers were ‘pulling everything out’ to lure him back
However, in 2022, Sean again insisted he would never return to Coronation Street as a cast member after falling in love with his new career as a cheesemaker.
Sean first left in 2005 due to his underage girl storyline, although his character did have a relationship with 16-year-old Katy Harris (played by Lucy-Jo Hudson) before he left [pictured]
A spokesperson for the soap said the actor left for “personal reasons” and that no scenes featuring Sean will air. Gail’s entire exit story is now being hastily rewritten by bosses.
Sean had returned to Corrie in July to film his first scenes and had already recorded episodes with a host of the soap’s stars.
A source said: “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.”
Meanwhile, the entire storyline of Sean’s return in 2024 has been scrapped and according to The Sun, Sean’s departure came as a huge shock – with the cast left unaware of the reason behind his departure
Gail was all set for a happy ending, rekindling her romance with Martin and sailing off into the sunset, but her exit storyline is now being hastily rewritten
In July it was confirmed that Sean would reprise his role as Martin Platt, 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 to contribute to Helen’s exit story.
‘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 played Martin for 20 years, from 1985 to 2005, before he and his family emigrated to New Zealand in 2018. He made one final visit to Weatherfield before leaving to make peace with David, who was angry that his father was leaving the country.