Coronation Street actor Bruce Jones has reached out to troubled former co-star Michael LeVell, urging to him to seek help or “end up in a place where alcoholics go to die”.
The actor, who used to play Les Battersby in the soap, was fired in 2007 as a result of his alcohol addiction and ended up on the streets after failing to find work. He told The Mirror that he fears that LeVell is headed on a similar path, after he was recently suspended following cocaine use.
“Two years without work was terrible. I was losing everything slowly and didn’t realise it. I thought everything would be alright when I left Corrie and I’d get another job next week but I didn’t,” he explained.
“I was typecast as Les Battersby. I lived on the streets for three weeks. I had three nights on Westminster Bridge, three nights in a derelict house and three days in a place where alcoholics go to die.”
Things have now turned around for the actor, who is heading to Hollywood after being offered a movie role, and he said he was confident that LeVell could overcome his demons. The 49-year-old, who plays Kevin Webster, was recently cleared of child sex allegations following a public trial.
“I went to see Michael before his trial and wished him all the best and was looking out for him. I don’t want what happened to me to happen to Michael.
“I ended up on the streets, completely broke with nowhere to go – it was an awful time. I know he can beat his demons though, he’s stronger than me and a great actor. He’s got to not be scared of life and get on with things. He needs to go and talk it out, he mustn’t bottle it up.”
