Coronation Street fans will soon be bidding a fond farewell to Curly Watts, after actor Kevin Kennedy announced he is bowing out of the series after 20 years.
Curly is one of the longest-standing characters in TV soap, but 41-year-old Kevin says the time has come to "spread my wings". He will continue on in Weatherfield until this autumn, before embarking on a new career in music.
"I have been wanting to take some time to pursue some new exciting projects for a while and this gives me the ideal opportunity," said Kevin. The performer, who has a long-running love of songwriting, has already scored two hits in New Zealand and Australia.
His onscreen wife Emma, and son Ben, will also depart the show in a dramatic new storyline that sees them heading for a new life in the north-east. Producers say they will leave the door open for his return, however, so we may be reunited with Curly sometime in the future. "We are reluctant to say goodbye to that character permanently," admitted Coronation Street boss Kieran Roberts.
A spokesperson for production company Granada also expressed hopes Curly will one day return. "He just decided that, after 20 years, it was time to see what's out there. We really hope he will come back."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
