Coronation Street star forced to deny STEALING jeans

Life can be pretty tough when you quit Coronation Street, and viewers feared the worst when they spotted something amiss with actor Kevin Kennedy’s jeans during an episode of Lorraine.

The star, who played much-loved character Curly Watts on the soap, was forced to deny he’d had to resort to shoplifting when fans noticed a security tag dangling from his smart new John Lewis jeans – and began calling in to check he’d paid for them.

As viewers began tweeting and texting to bring attention to Kevin’s howler, Lorraine realised she had to interrupt the interview short and say something.

“Honest I didn’t steal them,“ the 55-year-old Mancunian explained. "I bought these jeans because I’m on the telly. I got to the hotel this morning and put my jeans on and thought what’s that?”

When Lorraine said people thought he had been “tagged”, he joked: “Well I am from Manchester. Honest John Lewis I didn’t steal them.”

The actor made no secret of his desire to return to Weatherfield one day, telling Lorriane: “It’d be nice. l’d loved to, it’s no secret I want go back and do more and if the opportunity arises I’ll do it.”

“The irony of people leaving [Corrie] is to spend more time with their family but I’d have to spend more time with mine If I went back – I’m always touring!”

Kevin appeared in the ITV soap for 20 years before leaving in 2003. He moved into theatre and toured extensively, most notably with Queen musical We Will Rock You.