The show’s new boss, who hails from Liverpool, gave a preview of what’s in store in the dramatic Christmas episode
Coronation Street’s new boss has teased a dramatic Christmas is on the horizon as Gail Platt bids her final farewell to the Cobbles. Kate Brooks was confirmed as the new series producer on the long-running ITV show earlier this year.
Weatherfield’s new boss hails from Liverpool and previously worked on Corrie before she made the move to Emmerdale in 2017. Kate returned to the Cobbles from the Yorkshire village this year when she replaced former Executive Producer, Iain MacLeod, who has taken up a new role at ITV as head of Continuing Drama for both Corrie and Emmerdale.
Fans will be able to spot a change to the credits next month when Kate’s name officially arrives on the end titles. The new producer was given one of the most daunting tasks imaginable in her first year with overseeing the exit story of one of Corrie’s most iconic characters, Gail Platt, played by the legendary Helen Worth.
The 73-year-old’s final episode will be broadcast on Christmas Day and will centre around Gail’s wedding to Jesse Chadwick. Kate teased what’s in store on the December 25 episode, but stayed tight lipped on whether the famous character will have a happy ending and tie the knot with Jesse.
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She told the ECHO: “In the run up to Christmas, she finds out that some of her nearest and dearest have betrayed her. She doesn’t know who to believe. Even her dear old mum has lied to her and she really struggles with that.
“She doesn’t know if she wants this or she wants to be with Jesse. She contemplates and questions everything and every decision she’s ever made.”
Kate hopes the episode captures the classic fun spirit of Corrie Christmas as she said: “We’re all in need of a bit of escapism at the minute. We’ve had quite a dark, brilliant few months on the Cobbles. The Christmas period for us is all about trying to tap into the family dynamics of the Platts and what makes people tick.
“It is is a story with the Platts at the heart of it and it’s really festive. The story is about how secrets can impact and implode a family. There’s lots of betrayal, lots of secrets will be exposed and it will feel like classic Corrie, with a bit of a twist.”
Helen is one of Corrie’s most iconic figures and Kate said it was important to tap into the character’s rich past as she hopes to give her an ending to remember. She said: “She has been such an icon on the Street for such a long time and we can’t tell a story about her exit on Christmas Day without it being steeped in nostalgia.
“Hopefully people will be crying, they will be laughing, there will be gasps as people watch and think ‘oh my goodness, that has just happened.'” Kate admitted it was emotional to write an exit for a character that is so important to the fabric of Coronation Street, but is confident the team have delivered an end that does the character justice.
She said: “She’s going to leave the street and it’s going to be so wonderful and sad. I’m devastated that Gail is leaving because she is so iconic. That label gets bandied about quite readily, but Gail has been on the street for 50 years and we have watched her grow.
“It was really important that her exit and her departure felt really fitting and in keeping with who she is as a character. You’ve got all these different bombs going off around her and she’s oblivious to them all. It’s wonderful and it’s a great Christmas.”
Earlier this year, Corrie confirmed a change to its broadcast schedule as episodes were made available on ITVX at 7am ahead of airing on ITV later that night at 8pm. However, the Christmas episode will revert back to its traditional format as Gail’s farewell will air for the first time on ITV at 8pm on December 25. Kate said: “I want people to sit down on Christmas night, with a full tummy, watch this episode and think that was exactly what I needed.”
