Helen Worth and Sue Nicholls have been two of Coronation Street’s most beloved characters since the 1970s, playing mother and daughter duo Gail Platt and Audrey Roberts respectively. Fans of the long-running soap have watched them navigate the ups and downs of life, love, and family on the famous street, including their shared love interest in the suave conman Lewis Archer. However, many viewers have been surprised to discover that, off-screen, there is only a seven-year age difference between the actresses, with Audrey being 79 years old, while Helen is 72.
Social media has been filled with fans expressing their shock at this revelation. Many have commented on the fact that the two actresses can “get away” with playing mother and daughter despite their close ages. One Twitter user even referred to the fact as “bizarre.” However, despite the confusion, it is a testament to the excellence of their performances that the pair has been able to convince viewers of their mother-daughter relationship for so many years.
Helen joined the cast of Coronation Street in 1974, with Sue following five years later in 1979. Veteran actress Helen is set to celebrate her 50th year on the soap next year, making her the second-longest-serving cast member after Bill Roache. During her time on the show, Gail has been married six times to five different husbands (twice to Brian Tilsley). Although most of her husbands have passed away, she has had plenty of ups and downs with her children Nick, Sarah, and David, as well as her grandchildren.
In contrast, Audrey has had her fair share of drama during her 44 years on the show. Most recently, her murderous son Steven Reid drugged her, while she shocked her loved ones with her suicide attempt confession. Despite all of this, viewers still find themselves laughing along with the duo as they continue to entertain with their humorous antics on the show.
In a recent episode, Gail left her son David (played by Jack P. Shepard) speechless as she made a seemingly X-rated confession over breakfast. Speaking about her “well-rested sleep,” she praised her “hand-held stimulator,” which she called a “game changer.” The scene left viewers in stitches, especially given David’s horrified reaction. However, all was not what it seemed, as the contraption in question was actually a sleep aid.
Despite the drama and humor they bring to the show, Helen and Sue’s performances continue to stun viewers with their skill. The fact that they’ve been able to play such convincing mother and daughter characters for so many years, despite their small age gap, is a testament to their immense talent. Coronation Street wouldn’t be the same without them, and fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in their ongoing story on the cobbles.
