When people think of longevity in Coronation Street, they immediately think of William Roache, who’s tenure on the cobbles as Ken Barlow stretches all the way back to 1960 and the soap’s first ever episode.

Coming in in second place, though, is Michael Le Vell, who’s played Kevin Webster since 1983 when he was just 18 years old. Our Kev’ has been a stalwart of Weatherfield ever since, with only two small breaks taken, clocking up a 42 year run.

 

 

The historic cross-over episode between ITV’s two soaps, Corriedale, is rapidly approaching, with bosses promising carnage, destruction and, above all else, a high death toll. With our favourite Mancunian mechanic on the cast list, could we see the end of Mr. Webster?

Apparently, no, with Michael announcing that he’s signed another contract, which will keep him in his overalls for at least another year.

Speaking to The Mirror, Michael said: ‘You can never take the job for granted. My contract was due in January and I’ve just been offered a new one, so I can breathe a sigh of relief for another year, but you can never look beyond that.

‘They might say “you know what, we can’t write for you, we don’t know what to write for you anymore. Thank you and goodbye.” That’s the nature of the beast.’

Opening up about the nerves he still experiences while filming the show, Michael said: ‘Not a day goes by where I don’t get nervous. I get a churning stomach and I feel apprehensive, especially if I’m in every scene.

‘It’s even more stressful if I’m in a scene with someone like Bill Roache or Barbara Knox – mainly out of respect – or if I’m in a big scene in the Rovers. If there are lots of people in the pub, when it comes to your bit, you’re thinking “don’t mess up, don’t mess up.” Otherwise, they’ll all have to go back and do their dialogue again, so that’s an added pressure.’

Speaking on his honour at being asked to participate in the soap event of the century, Michael said: ‘It was an honour to be part of Corriedale because these things don’t come around too often.

‘I was in a scene with a couple of Emmerdale actors – Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle) and Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle) – as we tried to move a crashed car, which was great.’

Explaining what it was like behind the scenes of the mega-ep, Michael revealed that the camaraderie behind the scenes made it a positive experience for all involved.

‘The episode involved a lot of night shoots out on location and our trailers were next to each other, so the casts of the two shows were always having a cup of tea and a chat, which was fun.

‘It’s very exciting; it was a great privilege to be a part of it.’

Kevin was famously married to Sally (the ally) Metcalfe (Sally Dynevor) for 26 years (with a cheeky little gap between 1999 and 2002), producing two further Corrie icons, Rosie Webster (Helen Flanagan) and Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent).

Though the two have since moved on, with Sally marrying Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) and Kevin being trapped in a toxic love triangle with (now ex) wife Abi (Sally Carman-Duttine) and devious brother Carl (Jonathan Howard).