Coronation Street viewers have been gripped by Gail Platt’s emotional turbulence in recent weeks, and things only intensified when her past began creeping back in ways she never imagined. As the pressure around her future mounted, a chilling figure from her history found an unexpected route back into her life, leaving her rattled just as a major turning point approached.
The Lead-Up To A Haunting Weatherfield Moment
Gail had already been struggling ahead of her wedding to Jesse Chadwick, her confidence shaken as the usual Platt-family drama swirled around her. With her relationship appearing to crumble and her nerves spiralling, she reached a point where everything felt uncertain. That’s when the most infamous chapter of her past resurfaced in a nightmare, one involving Richard Hillman, the man who once terrorised Weatherfield with deadly charm and that unforgettable streak of camp menace.
Richard’s appearance came more than twenty years after his death, but the timing felt significant, especially as it lined up with preparations for Helen Worth’s exit as Gail. The vision landed at the perfect moment narratively, but behind the scenes, Brian Capron initially hesitated when producers approached him. Even though viewers still remember Richard as one of Corrie’s most chilling villains, Brian wasn’t immediately convinced that revisiting the character was a good idea.
Why Brian Thought Returning Could Be “Fatal”
When speaking to The Sun, Brian explained that he reacted with shock when the idea of resurrecting Richard Hillman was first raised. He said he felt gobsmacked and uneasy because he couldn’t initially imagine how a character who had been dead for 21 years could return without it seeming absurd. He recalled thinking that doing it as a vision could easily look wrong. His worries eased once he read the script.
Brian said he realised the writers had built a scene that balanced humour with a hint of menace. He felt the writing captured the clever, slightly sinister tone that always hovered around the character. One thing he didn’t enjoy, though, was the physical setup of Richard’s return. He revealed that he had to wear a wetsuit under his suit to stay warm while constantly being sprayed with water.
Brian said the wetsuit made movement difficult and he had to stay soaked throughout the filming day, with water running off him between takes to recreate Richard’s canal-soaked appearance. However, seeing Helen Worth again made the discomfort worthwhile. Brian previously spoke about reuniting with her and said the experience felt lovely. He believed the script gave them a clever scene filled with the dark humour Richard was known for, along with that lingering sense of danger.
Brian also reflected on how he and Helen had worked years ago to ensure Richard never came across as a completely heartless monster. He said they focused on portraying a loving relationship to add depth to the storyline. And he credited Helen for helping shape Richard’s emotional dimension. Returning for the day reminded him of why their dynamic worked so well.
The Infamous Story That Still Haunts Coronation Street Viewers
Richard first arrived on the Street when he attended the funeral of his cousin Alma Halliwell. He quickly formed a bond with Gail, wanting the stable family he had long desired. But he found it difficult due to his infertility. His polished, charming businessman persona won her over, but beneath it lay a conman who preyed on Weatherfield’s elderly residents.
He targeted Jack and Vera Duckworth, conning them out of their money and their home. Things escalated when his business partner, Duggie Ferguson, fell during an accident at a building site. Instead of helping him, Richard left him to die and then robbed him, worsening the tragedy. That act, while not technically murder, marked a chilling shift toward the full darkness he later embraced.
His crimes escalated when he killed his ex-wife Patricia with a shovel after she threatened to expose him, burying her under a housing development. Desperate for money, he then tried to convince Gail and the family that Audrey Roberts was mentally unstable. When that failed, he attempted to kill Audrey by setting her house on fire, though she survived. He later launched another attack, this time on Emily Bishop, but Maxine Peacock walked in mid-attempt.
Richard killed Maxine with a crowbar, sealing his reputation as one of Corrie’s deadliest villains. When Gail confronted him, Richard confessed to everything before fleeing Weatherfield. But his story ended in horror when he abducted Gail, Sarah, and David.
Basically, he drove them into a canal in a twisted murder-suicide plan. Gail and her children were rescued, leaving Richard to die alone. It reminded longtime viewers how far Gail has come and why the Platts remain one of the iconic families. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all Coronation Street spoilers.