“Before Tina O’Brien portrayed Sarah Platt on Coronation Street, the role was played by twin actors.”
A Coronation Street actress tragically died just months after making her debut on the iconic cobbles.
Sarah Platt first appeared on-screen in February 1987, born to Gail Platt (Helen Worth) and Brian Tilsley (Christopher Quinten). Over the years, the character has been at the heart of some of the soap’s most dramatic storylines, including becoming a mother to Bethany at just 13 and being kidnapped alongside her family by her deranged stepfather Richard Hillman (Brian Capron).
Although Tina O’Brien is best known for playing Sarah, she wasn’t the first to take on the role. The character was originally portrayed by newborn twins Leah and Lynsay King.
The twins were cast as Sarah Platt after being born two months premature. According to reports, the show often prefers using identical twins for newborn roles, making Leah and Lynsay a perfect fit, the Mirror notes.
Tragically, in May 1987, Leah died of cot death at just six months old. Coronation Street cast members, including Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt, attended Leah’s funeral at Butler Street Methodist Church in Manchester.
After Leah’s heartbreaking passing, Lynsay continued in the role of Sarah until 1999, leaving the show just before her 13th birthday. Tina O’Brien then took over the part at age 16.
Lynsay has spoken openly about the bullying she endured at school because of her Coronation Street fame. In a 2004 interview with the Mirror, she said: “It was horrible. Looking back, I feel sad that I let the bullies push me away, but at primary school no one would let me join in their games.”
She also expressed some regret about leaving the soap, admitting: “At the time, I was relieved to go, but now when I watch, I think, ‘Why did I leave?’ I do regret it. Seeing Tina O’Brien play Sarah feels strange. I don’t resent her, but it does make me a little upset because I’d love to act again.”
In 2004, Lynsay returned to Weatherfield for a documentary called The Kids From Coronation Street, reuniting with other former child stars.
During the visit, she ran into Tina O’Brien in the toilets—marking the first time the two actresses had met. Looking back on the moment, Lynsay recalled: “I’m not sure if she knew who I was, but neither of us said anything. It didn’t feel right to go, ‘Oh hi! You’re the one who took over my role.’”
Tina O’Brien first joined the cobbles in 1999 as Sarah Platt, playing the role until 2007. She returned to the part in 2015 and has remained a regular on the Street ever since, even though her original contract was only short-term.
When asked in 2021 about her long tenure on the soap, Tina told The Mirror: “Oh wow, if I’d known then what I know now, I would have been over the moon. I think I was given a three-month contract to start with, and I was just hoping to make it through those first three months and maybe stay longer.”
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