Coronation Street’s Bruce Jones reveals ITV have APOLOGISED for telling him Les Battersby is being killed off via email
CORONATION Street actor Bruce Jones has admitted that ITV have said sorry for telling him that his character was being killed off by email.
The Sun exclusively revealed that the show would be killing off the iconic Les Battersby in the next few weeks but the death would be happening off-screen.
It determined Bruce’s future on the show with the death meaning there is now a highly unlikely chance he will ever be able to return to the show that he loved.
Speaking out after his exit was revealed, Bruce admitted that he had been informed of his departure by an email but has since confessed that the show have reached out once again to apologise for telling him in such a way without warning.
Bruce told GB News: “I’ve had an apology from the press office for [telling me by email] which I’m grateful for.”
He also admitted to the publication that he was left “annoyed” by the wording of the original email, stating: “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.
“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 further confessed that reaction to the news has apparently not gone down well with fans he has seen out and about since The Sun broke the story.
Bruce said: “I went to watch Manchester City on Sunday and people come up to say, ‘This is ridiculous. They should keep you in.’
“But it’s their decision. It’s not mine. I’ve got no problems with Coronation Street.
“I had ten great years with them, but they (the viewers) are pretty annoyed about it. I say, ‘There’s no point having a go at me, it’s not my fault.’”
Actor Bruce, 71, played Les in Coronation Street for 10 years until he was suspended for allegedly getting drunk in a restaurant, insulting fans and revealing plots.
Les was written out as a consequence, but die-hard fans have always hoped the character would return one day, especially as his daughter Leanne and step-daughter Toyah are still in Weatherfield.
Next month Les’s daughter Leanne, played by Jane Danson, receives a call telling her that her dad is dead. She then breaks the news to her sister Toyah (Georgia Taylor).
A source said: “It’s a huge snub to kill off a popular character like this.
“Bruce created one of the Street’s most iconic characters in Les and always hoped one day he might return.
“A lot of the cast and crew have said it’s a bit mean.
“It’s also bound to infuriate long-term fans who remember Les with great fondness.”
Soap characters who've been recast
Soap operas are staple viewing for many people, but even some of the most famous characters have been played by different actors. Here are some examples from over the years.
- Tracy Barlow: Kate Ford took on the role of Corrie legend Tracy Barlow in 2002. Before Kate, three other actresses had played Tracy – most notably Dawn Acton from 1988 to 1999.
- Nick Tilsley: Ben Price has been playing Gail’s oldest child in 2009, but the former Footballers’ Wives star is the third actor to take on the part.
- Sarah Platt: Although Tina O’Brien debuted as Sarah Platt in 1999, she is the third actress who has played the iconic role of Sarah Platt.
- David Platt: Completing the line-up of Gail’s children, David was initially played by Thomas Ormson for a decade before Jack P. Shepherd took over.
- Daniel Osbourne: For almost a decade, the role of Ken Barlow’s son Daniel has been portrayed by actor Rob Mallard. Before Rob joined, two other actors had previously played Daniel.
- Bethany Platt: Fans know Lucy Fallon as Bethany nowadays but before her, three other actresses had stepped into the character’s shoes.
- Kirk Sutherland: Before Andy Whyment took on the role of Kirk, he played by an uncredited actor in his very first appearance.
- Todd Grimshaw: Gareth Pierce stepped into the role of Todd back in 2020, becoming the second performer to play this part.
- Summer Spellman: Harriet Bibby became the second actress to play Summer, taking over the role from Matilda Freeman in 2020.
- Ryan Connor: Ryan Prescott currently plays the long-running character, but Ben Thompson and Sol Heras had earlier portrayed the role.
- Martin Fowler: Although Martin was the first baby born on-screen in EastEnders, he hasn’t always been played by the same person. His current portrayer, James Bye, is the third actor to star as the character.
- Peter Beale: Seven actors have portrayed Ian Beale’s elder son, with the current actor, Thomas Law, in his second stint as the character.
- Ben Mitchell: Ben has been played by a total of six actors – with Max Bowden bowing out of the role in March 2024.
- Bobby Beale: Before Clay Milner Russell, Ian’s younger son had been played by four other actors.
- Freddie Slater: Bobby’s best mate, Freddie Slater, had been previously played by twins Alex and Tom Kilby before Bobby Brazier took over in 2022.
- Chelsea Fox: Former Coronation Street actress Zaraah Abrahams took over the role of Chelsea in 2020. The character had been first played by Tiana Benjamin from 2006 to 2010.
- Lauren Branning: Jacqueline Jossa took on the role of Lauren in 2010, succeeding Madeline Duggan who’d played her from 2006 to 2010.
- Johnny Carter: Johnny has been played by three actors since debuting in 2013 – most recently, Charlie Suff has taken on the role.