Coronation Street apologises to ‘annoyed’ Bruce Jones over Les Battersby’s death drama

Former Coronation Street star Bruce Jones has claimed that ITV apologised to him aft telling him that character Les Battersby would die.

It was confirmed past week that bad quality astir the character, who was a regular fixture connected the cobbles for a decade, volition scope his daughters Leanne (Jane Danson) and Toyah (Georgia Taylor), successful November.

Bruce archetypal arrived into Weatherfield arsenic outspoken Les successful 1997 and rapidly got into scraps with pensioners Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) and Percy Sugden (Bill Waddington).

The lazy layabout and his household were devised by shaper Brian Park successful a bid to modernise the amusement amid falling viewing figures.

During his tenure helium was entwined successful immoderate of the soap’s biggest stories – from ridiculing Hayley Cropper (Julie Hesmondhalgh) arsenic she came retired arsenic trans, to a feud with Ken Barlow (William Roache) and breakdown of his matrimony to Janice (Vicky Entwistle). 

Now the actor, who precocious turned to pro-wrestling alongside erstwhile co-star Steven Arnold – who played Ashley Peacock – has revealed helium felt ‘relieved’ upon proceeding that Les would beryllium killed off.

‘I got an email from the casting bureau saying “Dear Mr Jones, I americium atrocious to pass you Les Battersby volition dice successful the adjacent fewer months”‘ helium explained.

‘I work the email and thought, wherefore nonstop maine an email similar that? Why telephone maine Mr. Jones? Why not telephone maine Bruce? 

‘That annoyed maine a small bit, but past I felt relieved. Maybe it’s clip for maine to spell now.’

He told GBNews: ‘But it’s their decision. It’s not mine. I’ve got nary problems with Coronation Street. I had 10 large years with them.’

Viewers volition champion retrieve Les for his heartwarming enslaved with step-son Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) and lodger Kirk Sutherland (Andy Whyment), and the clip helium served a mowed down turkey to vegetarian Toyah connected Christmas Day. 

Bruce was reportedly suspended from the soap successful 2007 aft helium allegedly got drunk and revealed upcoming storylines.

He was written retired off-screen, explaining that helium had joined a ZZ Top tribute set connected circuit arsenic a roadie. 

The prima besides said that fans person told him they similar repeats of classical episodes connected ITV3, and that his woman volition beryllium tuning into Emmerdale successful future.

‘I sat and watched Corrie with her connected Monday night, and astatine the extremity of portion 1 of that amusement I walked retired the country and I didn’t spell backmost until I heard the euphony astatine the end’ helium continued.

‘I conscionable couldn’t ticker it. Where were the storylines? There was nary comedy. I went retired and I made a cupful of coffee.’

Whilst praising the Battersby household unit; Entwistle, Danson and Taylor, helium criticised the soap’s determination to break-up Les and Janice successful 2001.

Bruce concluded: ‘But astatine slightest I’ve had an apology from the property bureau for [telling maine by email] which I’m grateful for.’

Metro has reached retired to Coronation Street for comment.

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