Once a staple on the cobbles, Sean Wilson—beloved by Coronation Street fans as Martin Platt—is now stepping into an entirely new spotlight, one far removed from the familiar drama of Weatherfield. After an unexpected and controversial departure from the ITV soap, Wilson has turned the page, revealing a deeply personal and creative project that marks both a rebirth and a reclaiming of identity.
Wilson, now 60, first stepped onto Corrie in 1985, carving out a twenty-year tenure as the soft-spoken nurse and loyal family man Martin Platt. His original run on the show lasted until 2005, but he made a brief, nostalgic return in 2018. Hopes were high for another comeback in 2023, where he was reportedly set to be part of the major send-off for Helen Worth’s iconic Gail Platt—a character intrinsically tied to Martin’s legacy. But those plans took a dramatic detour.
Though scenes had already been filmed, Wilson’s return was suddenly pulled. Instead, fans were surprised to see Cold Feet alum John Thomson step into the fold, reprising his role as Jesse Chadwick—a move that sparked confusion across the fandom. The sudden casting shift was eventually linked to troubling circumstances surrounding Wilson, who had become embroiled in an alleged historical assault investigation.
According to Wilson, he was informed by Coronation Street executives that they would be severing ties with him pending the outcome of the inquiry. The allegations, which stemmed from an incident said to have taken place in 1997, shocked the actor—who maintains he was blindsided and unaware of who had filed the complaint. Though ultimately cleared, Wilson claims the damage had already been done. His name, reputation, and career took a devastating hit, all within what he describes as “eight minutes” of disbelief and heartbreak.
He opened up publicly about the ordeal, speaking to The Sun in a candid and emotional interview. Wilson described the moment he was summoned to the show’s Trafford-based studio, only to be told he would be dropped immediately. “My whole world was blown apart,” he confessed. “I lost my job. It’s been hell.”
Despite being cleared of the allegations during a voluntary police interview, Wilson says the original accusation, combined with ITV’s swift decision to cut ties, left him feeling abandoned and betrayed. He described his bewilderment, explaining how he pleaded for the opportunity to explain or defend himself but was met with silence. “They said they had to protect their cast,” he said. “But I’d been part of that cast for over 20 years.”
Frustrated by what he perceives as a lack of due process, Wilson embarked on his own investigative journey, determined to clear his name. His efforts, he says, were instrumental in disproving the claims. Now, vindicated yet disillusioned, Wilson is redirecting his passion into a more peaceful and introspective realm: the world of art.
In a heartfelt message posted to X (formerly Twitter), Wilson revealed the launch of his dedicated artist website. “It’s time to take the leap of faith into a dedicated artist website,” he wrote. “I would love you to drop in and have a peruse… S xx.”
Accompanying the announcement was an image of Wilson, walking near the Corrie set with armfuls of artwork—perhaps symbolic of him carrying the weight of the past while ushering in something new. A former cheese entrepreneur who once ran the successful Saddleworth Cheese Company, Wilson has always possessed a creative spirit. Now, he’s funnelling that energy into visual storytelling through paintings and photography, offering fans a new window into his soul—one painted in brushstrokes rather than scripts.
His new site promises an eclectic mix of series and imagery, a celebration of his journey through adversity, reflection, and artistic rebirth. It’s not just a career shift; it’s an emotional and personal transformation born from struggle, survival, and the search for healing.
Wilson’s story is a sobering reminder of how quickly fame and familiarity can be upended. “You are just one call away from ruin,” he reflected—a chilling truth in today’s climate of instant judgment and public scrutiny. But through the haze of controversy and cancellation, Wilson has chosen to rise not with rage, but with art.
The Martin Platt viewers once knew—a gentle soul caught in endless family drama—has perhaps come to mirror the actor behind the role more than ever. Scarred but standing, Sean Wilson isn’t retreating from the public eye. Instead, he’s inviting the world to see him as he sees himself now: not just an actor, but an artist, a survivor, and a man reclaiming his narrative one canvas at a time.
As the cobbles of Coronation Street continue without him, Wilson’s new path unfolds far from Weatherfield—but still rooted in creativity, passion, and a relentless will to carry on.
