Coronation Street icon Michael Le Vell has been entertaining the nation as Weatherfield mechanic Kevin Webster for almost 40 years.
The 57-year-old actor, whose real name is Michael Robert Turner, has become a Corrie icon and some fans will be surprised to know he played completely different role in the ITV soap before joining as Kevin in 1983.
Speaking to Daily Star and other press, Michael explained: “I came in as Neil Grimshaw, the paperboy, first for a few episodes and then when that finished Judy [Hayfield] said we’ll find something else for you.
“I wasn’t actually up for Kevin Webster. I was in the corridor waiting to audition for a programme called Scully and then Judy walked passed and asked ‘Am I seeing you tomorrow for Kevin Webster?’.
“I came back and auditioned for Kevin the next day and I got the job which was for 12 episodes.
“So I finished them 12 episodes, went off and did Panto at Oldham Coliseum and got a call to see if I wanted to come back and that was almost 40 years ago now.”
Kevin has been involved in several dramatic storylines and he admitted that the hard-hitting scenes are his favourite.
(Image: ITV)
The soap star said: “Someone came up to me the other day, well two people, and they’d been watching the old episodes and it was one where baby Jake died and I had that scene with Sally where I broke down. It was really emotional stuff.
“I love doing the strong storylines where there’s emotion like Sally and Kelly when she had to tell him she has breast cancer, and that was one of those things because Sally was going through it herself.”
(Image: Granada TV)
Despite playing Kevin for four decades, Michael says he still enjoys his job.
He said: “I love it. What’s not to like about it? Different scripts every week and I’ve been blessed with the actors I’ve been put with, which makes my job so much easier.
“It’s not like coming into work with Sally Dynevor and Sally Carman, I’ve been blessed.
“It’s just a shame Helen [Flanagan] and Brooke [Vincent] decided to leave and have babies.”
Michael’s on-screen daughters Helen and Brooke, who play Rosie and Sophie, are currently taking some time off from the soap after welcoming their children.
He continued: “It doesn’t matter what scripts you get I’m so glad to be part of it. It’s a fantastic place to work.
That’s the thing with our job you don’t have to retire when you’re 65 because they still want older characters.
“As long as you can keep remembering your lines and getting there everyday.”
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV at 8pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
