Coronation Street fans will look back fondly on the glory days of the ITV soap, when characters like Curly Watts lent a comedic air to the cobbles.
Curly was instantly recognisable by his bleach-blonde hair and oval-shaped glasses – and usually had a cheeky grin for his cobbles co-stars.
But Curly actor Kevin Kennedy looks completely unrecognisable to his former character 17 years after leaving the soap.
Curly appeared on the cobbles between 1983 and 2003, and was best known for his unlucky-in-love persona and spate of odd jobs before finally finding love with second wife Emma Watts (Angela Lonsdale).
In reality, Kevin’s love life has been a lot more settled, as he has been married to his wife Clare since 1996.
(Image: ITV)
Kevin regularly posts snaps to his Instagram page to update fans on his life, and looks totally different from his days on the cobbles.
In December 2021, Kevin escaped the winter weather of the UK and headed on a cruise, snapping a cheeky selfie while sunning himself topless.
The star could be seen on a small boat wearing nothing but a blue bandana around his neck and a pair of dark shades to shield his eyes from the bright sun.
With his brunette hair slicked back from his face, Kevin treated the camera to a smile, captioning the snap: “A day at the seaside.”
(Image: @mrkevkennedy)
In another snap from last year, Kevin could be seen raising an eyebrow at the camera as he shucked off his glasses for a quick candid selfie.
Wearing a simple white t-shirt and with his glasses perched atop his head, Kevin wrote: “This my question eyebrow acting class number 33.”
In October 2021, Kevin celebrated an incredible 23 years of sobriety with another relaxed selfie – and fans quickly rushed to support him.
The actor wrote: “23 years sober today… yes folks it’s possible!”
(Image: @mrkevkennedy)
One fan quickly commented: “Real inspiration and top bloke to go with it!”
“Bravo you, rockstar!” another encouraged, while someone else posted: “Well done you, lovely – proud of you.”
In 2017 the star opened up about his recovery from alcoholism, telling The Mirror: “I have my moments. Being on tour can be hard. Now I am long enough down the road to know my trigger points and where it’s not safe for me to go.
“I go to AA meetings, read all the literature and keep myself safe.
“It’s not easy but I am 18 years down the road and I know how to protect myself and keep myself safe. If I am feeling a little bit unsafe, I won’t go out.”
And his acting career, too, has flourished – with Kevin appearing in everything from Holby City to Mrs Brown’s Boys, along with various stage musicals like The Commitments.
He has also enjoyed a career as a musician and released three albums, with his latest – titled Rogues, Heroes, Angels and Fools – coming in 2010.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
