A Coronation Street star beat addiction (Image: ITV)
binman Curly Watts was played by actor Kevin Kennedy until 2003 – and now, more than two decades later, he’s ready to take out the trash and make a triumphant return to the soap he once loved so much.
Nostalgic fans of the soap in the old days will recall that Curly married Rovers Return barmaid Raquel. She was played by , who’s now better known for her award-winning role in way back in 1983.
A few years on from those marital scenes, Kevin found himself downing a bottle of vodka per day behind the scenes, eventually seeking help from producers over his plight. He was watched by up to 20 million people a night at the time, most of whom were completely unaware of how much he was struggling.
“Alcohol addiction is a mental obsession,” he shuddered to , before admitting that his behaviour on his “dark” days had “upset” his family and friends. With the help of staff behind the scenes, he found the courage to go into rehab and returned to the soap a “changed man”.
He recalled: “There is a lot of shame that surrounds recovery – and there shouldn’t be. If you can find the strength to put down that bottle, anything is possible.” Explaining his desire to inspire others in similar situations to believe recovery is possible, he added: “I had faith because from the ashes I rose like a phoenix – and now I have two beautiful daughters who I adore.”
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Coronation Street’s Curly and Raquel (played by Kevin Kennedy and Sarah Lancashire) (Image: ITV)
Kevin felt “healed” when he later left in 2003 – and he is virtually unrecognisable these days.
However, he added that he’d still “jump at the chance” to return to his original role.
Declaring that he’s still a jobbing actor to this day, he explained: “I think there are many viewers who would want to see Curly come home. I think about it every day.”
However, Helen Worth, who has played Gail Platt for half a century, is one of those who won’t be returning anytime soon, having recently announced she is stepping down from the soap.
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Kevin Kennedy in his post-Corrie acting days (Image: GETTY)
Naturally, the Curly actor remembers her from the earlier days, and says she would often take him to one side to instruct him on how best to perfect a scene.
He argued that she “needs a rest” and time to be with her family, but vowed he’d “never forget” her.
Kevin also stays in touch with Sarah Lancashire, who recently announced her own plans out of the spotlight after launching a production company and trying to find her feet behind the camera instead of in front of it.
Will Kevin ever make a return to the cobbles? Viewers will have to watch this space to find out.