Coronation Street's Curly set for comeback...as scenes featuring Michael Le Vell 'are deleted'

By Fay Strang

PUBLISHED: 21:00 EST, 2 March 2013 | UPDATED: 10:01 EST, 3 March 2013

Actor Kevin Kennedy is set to reprise his role as popular character Curly Watts in Coronation Street.

Ten years after leaving the soap the loveable supermarket assistant will be returning to the show on which he starred for 20 years.

The sensational return comes as Michael Le Vell, who plays mechanic Steven Webster, is currently suspended due to child sex charges and his recent scenes are said to have been deleted.

He's back: Kevin Kennedy is set to return to Coronation Street to play Curly Watts

He's back: Kevin Kennedy is set to return to Coronation Street to play Curly Watts

According to the Sunday Mirror Curly, who managed to draw an amazing 22 million viewers when he tied the knot on the show, has reportedly had a number of top secret meetings with ITV bosses about his return.

Kevin, 51, has never been shy about wanting to return to the cobbled streets and it seems the time is now perfect.

The newspaper reports that new Corrie box Stuart Blackburn believes that the hapless character will help bring the show 'back to its roots.'

Good timing: His return comes as scenes featuring Michael Le Vell have reportedly been deleted

Good timing: His return comes as scenes featuring Michael Le Vell have reportedly been deleted

A source told the paper: 'He recently had a dinner meeting with Stuart Blackburn and it was extremely positive.

'Stuart has a real sense of the history of Corrie and has great deal of affection from some of the older character. Curly Watts certainly fits into that bracket.'

The new boss, who used to work on Emmerdale replaced Phil Collinson as executive producer earlier this year. 

Unlucky in love: During his time on the show Curly did marry Sarah Lancashire's character Raquel Wolstenhulme

Unlucky in love: During his time on the show Curly did marry Sarah Lancashire's character Raquel Wolstenhulme

According to reports Stuart is very keen on a number of the old character and he spent time going over old story-lines with self-confessed ex –alcoholic Kevin.

The source added: 'It couldn't come at a better time. The situation with Le Vell has left them short of an iconic character from that era. Curly could definitely plug that gap.'

Curly first appeared on the show in 1983 and his loveable yet unlucky-in-love character instantly won over viewers.

Old timer: Like Michael, Kevin is a face which is very associated with the soap

Old timer: Like Michael, Kevin is a face which is very associated with the soap

Throughout his many years on the show a number of his storyline centered on his lack of luck with the ladies.

He did however finally tie the knot to Raquel Wolstenhulme, played by Sarah Lancashire, however that ended in tears. 

Le Vell was bailed on condition that he surrenders his passport, does not contact witnesses and does not have unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 14, following his appearance in court on February 27.

The actor,who has been charged with 19 sexual offences against a child including rape, indecent assault and sexual activity, is due to appear at Manchester Crown Court next month.

Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.

Read More @ Source



More Celeb Stories Here