CORONATION Street star Jodie Prenger has addressed the future of an iconic family in the show.
It comes weeks after soap legend Helen Worth announced she would be leaving her role as Gail Platt after an incredible 50 years.
Speaking at the Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) Awards, Jodie, 45, was asked about her tenured colleague's imminent exit.
The actress and singer said she was "really, really gutted" upon hearing the news.
Revealing she and Helen had shared a table in the green room, Jodie added: "She's lovely and grounded and everything you want a Corrie legend to be.
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"It's a massive, massive loss but she's one of these iconic women that have paved the way for other women to come and surround her.
"She'll be a great loss, but I hope we can carry the torch for her."
Meanwhile, Jodie also addressed speculation that fellow Corrie star Sue Nicholls could follow Helen out of the soap.
Sue, 80, began playing Gail's mother Audrey Roberts in 1979 and has therefore worked with Helen for almost five decades.
When asked about the theory, Jodie replied: "I think she'll stay.
"I'd love everyone to have an experience - I know you can buy the Corrie Street tour, but I wish you could buy the Corrie Street green room.
"Just have a cup of tea with them, they're lovely. Dead normal, dead grounded, no airs, no graces.
"It's one of those places where you... I don't know, I expected some divas, but it's not.
"It's just a lovely place to be."
Earlier this month, Helen addressed her exit from the flagship ITV soap in a statement.
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She 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.”
Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.
