Helen Worth has been eyed for new series of Strictly Come Dancing

She recently quit the ITV soap after successfully playing her character Gail Platt for 50 years from 1974. 

And now, Helen Worth, 73, may have to put on her dancing shoes as Strictly bosses are reportedly keen to sign the actress up for the new series.

The Coronation Street star devastated fans across the UK when she announced she is quitting the cobbles after 50 years – with her final scenes set to air at the end of this year. 

However, insiders have claimed Helen taking up Strictly’s offer ‘would be a disaster’ for the soap as it means the actress’s exit scenes could be screening around the same time she gets glammed up to hit the dance floor. 

A TV insider told The Sun: ‘This really would be a disaster for the show because they want the focus to be on Gail’s big exit, the details of which are being kept under wraps.’

‘But it raises the prospect of her potentially featuring in a storyline where she is seen dying of a terminal illness during the week, then popping up on a Saturday night, potentially dancing as a zombie on Strictly’s Halloween special. Not a good look.’ 

If Helen were to take Strictly up on their offer, she wouldn’t be the only Coronation Street star to make an appearance as her screen daughter Tina O’Brien, Georgia May Foote, and last year’s winner, Ellie Leach all previously signed up. 

MailOnline have contacted Helen representatives and Strictly for comment. 

Blind comedian Chris McCausland and Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts are amongst the names rumoured to be joining the show. 

It comes after Coronation Street fans were convinced Helen’s character will be killed off from the show after spotting a clue in a statement released by the ITV soap. 

Helen – who portrays Gail Platt a fan favourite in the hit soap – quit her role on Wednesday and ITV released a statement filled with teasers. 

Fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to speculate how her character’s storyline will end. 

One fan pleaded: ‘Oh please let her go to Thailand. Don’t kill her off please.’;

‘How are they gonna wrap the Gail character up will they kill her off, will they leave it open for her to make appearances here n there, where does this leave Audrey. So many questions.’;

‘Oh gosh going to miss her. Another wonderful actress departing. Please give her a happy ending.’

‘Better not be killing that character off. That would be a shoddy way for such a long standing character.’;

‘PLEASE let her have a happy ending! A nice husband who’s not a serial killer she can move away with. I’d return to watching Corrie for that.’ 

It’s not yet been revealed how Helen’s character Gail will leave the show, however, ITV confirmed that she will start filming her exit story next month and the ’emotional’ scenes will be on screen at the end of the year. 

Sharing the news of her exit, Helen said: ‘This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world.’

‘I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding.’

‘I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew.’

‘The past 50 years have flown by and I don’t think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.’ 

Thankfully, Helen hasn’t had quite a dramatic life as her character, and once admitted she would ‘be in a mental institution’ if her life was like Gail’s.

She added: ‘I come home and see friends and go to the theatre. Luckily I find it quite easy to switch off – I’d be a nervous wreck if I didn’t.’ 

Helen grew up in Morecambe, Lancashire, but now lives in London and commutes to the set in Manchester each week.

She has been married twice, unlike Gail who has had five husbands – four of whom have died, and one was a notorious serial killer.

Helen’s first husband was actor Michael Angelis, who is best known for narrating the Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends children’s series.

They met during the 70s and finally tied the knot in 1991. Michael admitted that he had cheated on Helen in 1995, but the British star forgave him.

However, their marriage came to an end 21 years later after Michael had a second affair with Welsh model Jennifer Khalastchi.