Coronation Street denies Christmas return for Michael Le Vell

A Coronation Street spokesperson has confirmed that Kevin Webster won’t appear in the soap at Christmas. 

Kevin and Sally have been part of Coronation Street as a couple – on and off – since 1986

The character is expected to return to the ITV soap after actor Michael Le Vell was cleared of 12 child sex charges earlier this month. The Mirror previously reported that he would play a major role in one of this year’s festive plots.

However, a Coronation Street spokesperson has told PA that the Christmas episodes are already planned so the car mechanic won’t reappear until next year. Kevin was last seen on screen in February when legal proceedings against Le Vell began. Le Vell has played the role since 1983.

The Mirror also reported that Le Vell plans to release a tell-all book about his recent ordeal in which he will claim he is “another victim of Jimmy Savile”. Other reports suggest ITV want to secure the actor for an interview with Piers Morgan and that reality TV execs have offered him a place on this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! to help pay off his legal costs.

Michael Le Vell has played Kevin Webster since 1983.