Bruce has spoken out (Picture: Kevin Holt/Daily Mail/REX/Shutterstock)
Former Coronation Street star Bruce Jones has claimed that ITV apologised to him after telling him that character Les Battersby would die.
It was confirmed last week that bad news about the character, who was a regular fixture on the cobbles for a decade, will reach his daughters Leanne (Jane Danson) and Toyah (Georgia Taylor), in November.
Bruce first arrived into Weatherfield as outspoken Les in 1997 and quickly got into scraps with pensioners Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) and Percy Sugden (Bill Waddington).
The lazy layabout and his family were devised by producer Brian Park in a bid to modernise the show amid falling viewing figures.
During his tenure he was entwined in some of the soap’s biggest stories – from ridiculing Hayley Cropper (Julie Hesmondhalgh) as she came out as trans, to a feud with Ken Barlow (William Roache) and breakdown of his marriage to Janice (Vicky Entwistle).
Bruce was reportedly told by email that the character would die (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
He was involved in some high profile stories – and provided comic relief – during his tenure (Picture: Granada Television)
Now the actor, who recently turned to pro-wrestling alongside former co-star Steven Arnold – who played Ashley Peacock – has revealed he felt ‘relieved’ upon hearing that Les would be killed off.
‘I got an email from the casting office saying “Dear Mr Jones, I am sorry to inform you Les Battersby will die in the next few months”‘ he explained.
‘I read the email and thought, why send me an email like that? Why call me Mr. Jones? Why not call me Bruce?
‘That annoyed me a little bit, but then I felt relieved. Maybe it’s time for me to go now.’
He told GBNews: ‘But it’s their decision. It’s not mine. I’ve got no problems with Coronation Street. I had ten great years with them.’
Les later married Cilla, with Bruce condemning the decision for him to leave Janice (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Bruce has said his wife will watch Emmerdale in future (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Viewers will best remember Les for his heartwarming bond with step-son Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) and lodger Kirk Sutherland (Andy Whyment), and the time he served a mowed down turkey to vegetarian Toyah on Christmas Day.
Bruce was reportedly suspended from the soap in 2007 after he allegedly got drunk and revealed upcoming storylines.
He was written out off-screen, explaining that he had joined a ZZ Top tribute band on tour as a roadie.
The star also said that fans have told him they prefer repeats of classic episodes on ITV3, and that his wife will be tuning into Emmerdale in future.
He took some time to praise his former co-stars (Picture: Mike Lawn/TV Times/Getty Images)
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Source:: Metro
