CORONATION Street fans have been left stunned as the show’s iconic theme tune was halted – after Gail Platt’s fate was revealed.

The soap icon – who is leaving the cobbles after 50 years in Weatherfield – was left fighting for her life earlier this week.

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Her children David and Sarah kept sniping at her and boyfriend Jesse before she demanded they leave.

Gail then gripped her chest as she suffered a heart attack and was rushed to hospital as the episode ended.

But in tonight’s episode doctors told the Platt’s Gail had awoken as they gathered around her.

In a heart-to-heart with David, she told him: “You’re a good boy, man. We’ve had our ups and downs, you and me.

He replied: “I don’t think I’ve been anything but trouble.”

Gail added: “Not true. When I look at how you’ve turned out, a good dad, husband, I’m so proud of you.”

The episode came to an end as Jesse agreed to marry Gail after she proposed to him.

“I love you, and I would be thrilled if I could spend the rest of my life calling you my husband,” she said.

However, as the iconic theme tune and credits rolled fans were left shocked as they abruptly stopped.

They were replaced with heartbeat cardiogram lines on screen as a life support monitor could be heard flatlining in the background.

The move appears to support the British Heart Foundation, who Corrie consulted for Gail’s heart attack plot.

However, it’s left fans fearful Gail will be killed, with one writing: “The heart beat almost gave me a heart attack then, I thought Gail had been killed off through the credits.”

A second wrote: “I thought Gail flatlined and that was them telling us she won’t be in it again.”

Coronation Street continues on ITV1 and ITVX.

Coronation Street’s 2024 shock exits

Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let’s break down who’s left the famous soap:

Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.

The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.

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Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.

After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.

Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.

Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.

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Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.

Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.

The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.

Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.

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Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.

It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.

Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.

Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.

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KATHERINE Ryan has been pictured taking her Halloween costume to the next level this year – dressing up as a scarily giant Monster Munch.

Photos show the 41-year-old comedian in a fluffy couture outfit inspired by the pickled onion-flavoured snacks.

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The look came complete with a matching bag, bodysuit, and earrings.

Katherine headed out of her hotel in Central London with husband Bobby in tow, leaving the doormen stunned by the giant get-up.

The bespoke fit measured 130cm from toe-to-toe, which caused more than a fair few issues when it came to transport.

The pair were seen struggling to get her in the back of a black cab with passersby and partygoers in awe of her epic outfit.

The look has become tradition for Katherine, who made headlines in 2023 dressed as a Giant Wotsit.

This latest head-turning costume was created by Walkers Snacks to continue the annual theme.

The move marks the return of the ‘Scarily Giant Costumes’, which launched last year and were a sell-out success, with fans taking to social media to beg for their return.

The limited-edition inflatable costumes are available in both ‘Giant Wotsit’ and ‘Giant Monster Munch’ varieties, including a sharing bag of the snack.

Wayne Newton from Walkers Snacks said: “After the incredible reaction to Katherine’s Giant Wotsit costume last year, she knew she wanted to take Halloween 2024 one step further.

“It’s been a lot of fun making this bespoke outfit a reality and it’s certainly one that’s turned heads.

“This bespoke piece was created especially for Katherine but those who want to dress up like their favourite snack and embrace their inner big kid can also get involved, with the return of our giant inflatable Halloween costumes.”

Katherine and Bobby’s day out comes after she was crowned Feminist Hero at this year’s Glamour Awards.

The star took the moment to savagely mock Russell Brand in light of the sexual abuse allegations made against him, as well as P Diddy.

Starring alongside Russell on Roast Battle back in 2018, Katherine admitted she nearly didn’t take the job knowing he was on the panel with her.

“Then after some soul searching, I thought, ‘Why should I stay home?’.

“He’ll be there in his unnecessarily tight jeans, wearing a hoodie and w***ing off to a Tibetan monk for views, or whatever he gets up to.

“Every time I got a chance to speak to him, I decided I would say stuff like, ‘I’m not getting paid enough to be here, especially considering how many times my face will be on the news when the victims come forward’.”

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Journalism is the lifeblood of democracy. Journalists are guardians of democratic values. These simple facts are so woven into the fabric of our society that we often take them for granted. This year, I fought tooth and nail for the honour of serving our country as prime minister. And at every step of the way, I was robustly held to account by determined, incisive and irrepressible members of the fourth estate. Neither myself nor the now leader of the opposition complained about this. Neither of us turned our partisan supporters against the media. We went about our business, just as all our predecessors have, accepting that this is democracy in action. It was ordinary and unremarkable.

And yet this is not a given. All around the world, journalists put themselves at risk in defence of those values. Journalists such as the Ukrainian Victoria Roshchyna, who brought us the horrific story of Mariupol – now dead in Russian custody. Or the more than a hundred journalists killed reporting the unimaginable suffering in Gaza. Or the BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue taking cover during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, still broadcasting while lying face down on the ground behind his car. An extraordinary image that brought home the risks and the purpose of journalism: that, through the bravery of journalists, the world sees what it needs to see.

There are more than 900 local and national news titles in the UK. For all the prophecies of doom about the future of news, that represents an extraordinary strength. The British news industry reaches more than 80% of the population.

However, this vitality should not blind us to the challenges. And while thankfully there is no direct threat to press freedoms in our country, we must remain vigilant so that the growing power of digital technology does not begin to chip away at them. Particularly as artificial intelligence begins to transform our economy and way of life.

Both artificial intelligence and the creative industries – which include news media – are central to this government’s driving mission on economic growth. To strike balance in our industrial policy, we are working closely with these sectors. We recognise the basic principle that publishers should have control over and seek payment for their work, including when thinking about the role of AI. Not only is it essential for a vibrant media landscape, in which the sector’s provision of trustworthy information is more vital than ever, it is also relevant to our ongoing work to roll out the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act as swiftly as possible. This landmark legislation will help rebalance the relationship between online platforms and those, such as publishers, who rely on them.

We also stand with journalists who endure threats merely for doing their jobs. Just because journalists are brave does not mean they should ever suffer intimidation. This goes for intimidation on social media – the Online Safety Act will introduce new protections from abuse, as well respecting recognised news publisher content. It goes for journalists around the world, where we will continue to use British soft power and diplomacy to argue for journalistic freedoms. But it also goes for powerful people using strategic litigation against public participation, known as Slapps, to intimidate journalists away from their pursuit of the public interest. Such behaviour is intolerable and we will tackle the use of Slapps to protect investigative journalism, alongside access to justice.

Because this is a government that will always champion press freedoms. We believe in being held to account. I am determined to show that traditional democratic British values are the only way to deliver the change that working people need – that is my political project in a nutshell. And there can be nothing more traditional, democratic or British than a robust free press, fearlessly holding the powerful to account.

A LEGENDARY BBC presenter has bid an emotional farewell in his final radio show, leaving listeners in tears.

DJ Johnnie Walker concluded his final radio show with the heartfelt message, “may we walk into the future with our heads held high and happiness in our hearts”.

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The broadcast included special messages from Sir Rod Stewart and his wife, Tiggy.

The 79-year-old veteran presenter signed off his final Sounds Of The 70s show on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday afternoon.

He had hosted his last episode of The Rock Show on Friday, during which he played some of his “favourite rock anthems”.

Walker announced earlier this month that he was retiring from radio after 58 years due to ill health, having previously been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

After playing Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now, he closed the show by saying: “Here we are at the end of a 15-year run on Sunday afternoon’s Sounds Of The 70s and 58 years on British radio.

“It’s going to be very strange not to be on the wireless anymore. But also, by the same token, life will be slightly less of a strain, really, trying to find the breath to do programmes.

“So thank you for being with me all these years and take good care of yourself and those you love, and may we walk into the future with our heads held high and happiness in our hearts.

“God bless you. And I’ll end with this.”

For his final song, he played Judy Collins’ version of Amazing Grace.

Earlier this year the BBC Radio 2 legend spoke about his terminal illness, sharing that doctors warned he could “die at any moment”.

The music show host has worked for the Beeb since 1969, and currently heads up both Sounds of the 70s and The Radio 2 Rock Show.

He sadly suffered from a heart attack in 2019 and had to undergo a triple heart bypass.

Just one year later he was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which is a condition where inflation of the lungs means breathing becomes difficult.

TIGGY

As his health deteriorated Johnnie had to start presenting his radio shows from his home in Dorset, where he receives round-the-clock care from his wife Tiggy.

During Carers Week the couple opened up about what it has been like for them living with the possibility of Johnnie passing at any moment hanging over their heads.

In a heartbreaking segment on their BBC Sounds podcast Tiggy admitted: “I’m so tired. Sometimes I find it hard to go on.”

She also shared that for the first six weeks after his diagnosis, she was heartbroken and already grieving the life they had together.

Medical consultants told the couple that Johnnie should “prepare to go at any moment”.

Tiggy added: “It was only by going to the doctors and going on antidepressants that I have kept going, because I was crying every single day and I was overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of everything I had to do.”

Johnnie was contemplative when he spoke about grappling with death, referring to having “only a finite amount of time left here in the physical before I pass over”.

The radio veteran showed a huge amount of empathy for his wife, putting himself in her shoes during their nightly routine by acknowledging she “very lovingly helps me get into bed and gives me a nice kiss good night, and then she has to wonder whether I’m still going to be alive in the morning, which must be pretty hard for her”.

He went on to say that she saved his life when he had cancer in 2006, adding: “Your love was just so sustaining, it gave me so much to look forward to. And your caring for me now makes my life so much better.”

THE nation’s favourite family TV shows of all time are Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent – and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

A poll of 2,000 adults revealed the top 20 family favourites, with The Generation Game, Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Gladiators also featuring.

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It also emerged 56 per cent feel nostalgic for the classic family TV shows of the 90s, with 77 per cent claiming they loved Saturday nights in front of the TV when they were younger.

Nearly nine in 10 (89 per cent) often have their tea in front of the telly at the weekend watching some classic family entertainment.

And 37 per cent who have a ‘family night in’ on Saturdays often get their evening meal sent in to minimise cooking while enjoying the TV.

The research was commissioned by McDonald’s UK, which has delivery bundles available on McDelivery until January.

A spokesperson said: “Saturday night TV offers a perfect opportunity for families to come together, relax, and enjoy quality time as a unit.

“In today’s busy world, where work, school, and other commitments often keep everyone on the go, it’s important to have moments where families can pause and reconnect.

Recent singing shows like X Factor, The Voice and The Masked Singer all appeared in the top 20 of the best family or Saturday evening entertainment programmes.

While 90s classics Noel’s House Party and The Crystal Maze also ranked highly.

More than a third (35 per cent) of families who watch Saturday night TV shows together feel ‘very much’ closer as a result.

But as many as 64 per cent believe the tradition of families watching TV together on Saturday nights has become less common in recent years.

With 55 per cent of respondents putting at least some of the blame for this on modern technology like smartphones and streaming services.

Three quarters (74 per cent) believe family TV shows should be able to cater to all age groups according to the OnePoll.com figures.

And the best things about settling back as a group on Saturday nights in front of the telly are spending time together (65 per cent) and relaxing as a family (53 per cent).

But overall, Brits reckon Saturday night TV shows are worse than they used to be – with 49 per cent feeling this way, compared to 21 per cent who reckon they’re better.

The spokesperson for McDonald’s, which has new delivery bundles including The Feed the Family Deal, added: “With the added fun of ordering a takeaway, Saturday nights become a time for shared laughter, conversation, and enjoying favourite shows, making it an event everyone looks forward to.”

STRICTLY dancer Amy Dowden could be forced to quit the contest after collapsing while filming Saturday night’s show and being rushed to hospital.

The Welsh pro, who has Crohn’s Disease and has been battling cancer for almost 18 months, was seen by paramedics at Elstree Studios.

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Her condition was so serious that the fire service were called and specialist equipment used to help her to an ambulance while keeping her completely flat.

Amy, 34, collapsed after she performed her dance with her celebrity partner — JLS singer JB Gill, 37 — during the main show.

She was unable to appear in the recording of the live show, which aired last night.

Instead hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly explained to viewers at home: “Before we get started, Amy isn’t able to be with us for tonight’s show.”

JB was seen standing alone on the staircase. When it was announced he was going through to next week, he smiled and said “Thank you” to cheers.

A Strictly insider said: “Amy was obviously in huge distress. “Everyone around her was equally upset because they felt so helpless.

“JB had to be given a hug. Even the medic who first attended to Amy needed support and consolation. The only thing they could do was try to get her to hospital as quickly and safely as possible.”

For the Halloween Special, Amy and JB dressed as scarecrows and performed to Dancing In The Moonlight by Toploader at 7.18pm.

It’s understood Amy started to feel ill minutes after she and JB received a 32 out of 40 score from the judges at 7.25pm.

Amy cheered and jumped up and down when Motsi gave them a 9, and screamed when she got an 8 from Anton.

Amy was still seen standing and smiling with JB in the final line-up at around 8.10pm.

By 9pm an ambulance had been called and at 9.50pm the fire service were also contacted to assist.

Amy has talked at length about the excruciating pain she suffers as a result of her Crohn’s, an inflammatory disease of the digestive system often brought on by stress.

Her spokesman said yesterday: “Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution. She’s feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern.”

‘Contingencies in place’

Yesterday morning the BBC released a statement saying: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Amy Dowden was unable to be in tonight’s results show.”

The BBC did not give any further detail with a spokeswoman adding only: “We have contingencies in place for all eventualities.”

No pro dancer has ever dropped out of Strictly in its 20 years.

Amy is hugely popular with fans, who would hate to see her having to leave the show.

Celebrities have had to leave — including comedian and actor Robert Webb who had a serious heart condition in the 2021 series.

It could mean that another pro may be brought in to replace Amy — either permanently or temporarily — if she is not considered well enough to return to rehearsals this week.

JLS star JB may decide he cannot continue without Amy.

An insider added: “They are incredibly close.

“She has helped him remain in the top band of the scoreboard since this series started.”

The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed: “We were called just after 9pm on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.

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“An ambulance was sent to the scene. One patient, an adult female, was transported to Barnet Hospital for further care.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mark Barber said: “Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called at 9.50pm to Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. We assisted with the transfer of a female patient to an ambulance.”

Amy, from Caerphilly in South Wales, has been battling Crohn’s disease since she was a teenager.

She has been taken to hospital more than a hundred times because of it.

In a BBC documentary in 2020 she revealed the bittersweet secret that joining Strictly could have made her dreams come true — but losing her spot in the line-up would represent her worst nightmare.

I live in fear that what I love the most could be taken away

Amy Dowden

Amy said: “Strictly has been more than a dance show to me, it got me through the darkest times of my illness.

“For me it was a big inspiration to keep me dancing.

“Dancing has pulled me through my Crohn’s but it’s a battle.

“I live in fear that what I love the most could be taken away.”

In one scene in the Beeb documentary Amy was seen collapsing a day after completing the last Strictly tour, and ended up being rushed to hospital.

She said: “To the public watching me with all our make-up, fake tan, glitz, glamour and spotlights, it’s a different world. I don’t think they could ever imagine this could be me the next day.

“I knew things weren’t right but your body goes: ‘Right you’ve got to get through this, you don’t want to let anyone down, you can do this. And you can just push yourself through anything’.

“I can’t think of how many times I’ve been in hospital.

“It’s got to be at least over 100 times. When I was 18 or 19 it was every month at least for a week.”

‘What a difference a year can make’

Before her return to Strictly, Amy also faced months of cancer treatment and was forced to step back from the series last year.

She revealed that touching messages from fans help her to stay on the show, explaining: “I get so many messages about my smile.

“I always look back and think, ‘Gosh, this time last year I was having chemo, this time last year I was in hospital with a blood clot’.”

She added: “What a difference a year can make.

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“I get messages every day from people saying, ‘I’m going through chemo and you’re my hope’, or, ‘Because of you I’ve checked myself and I found a lump’, or something like this.

“I’m just grateful to be back and be in the position I am.”

Amy was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023.

Just a couple of months later she was told she had another type of cancer, which was found elsewhere in the body.

Following a mastectomy, she was told the tumours had spread and was diagnosed with cancer for the second time that July.

And in August 2024, her return to Strictly was thrown into chaos when doctors raised concerns about abnormalities in her breast following a check-up.

Amy later received the all-clear from her consultant.

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