Les Dennis has opened up about the ‘freaky’ moment he watched his character’s funeral being filmed for Coronation Street. The 63-year-old starred in the ITV soap as Michael Rodwell until he died of a heart attack during a stand-off with Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre) at the end of last year. By pure coincidence, he was recently visiting the Corrie set with his wife Claire on the same day that his emotional send-off was being filmed. During an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Thursday, Les told hosts Susanna Reid and Ben Shepherd: "It was bizarre. Claire and I went back for lunch and we were in the canteen and I was looking at all the Platt family, and everyone was all dressed up.
Les Dennis has opened up about watching his character's funeral being filmed on Coronation Street
"I said, 'What is going on?' and Ollie, who was playing Andy my son, said, 'Your funeral!' They said, 'The hearse is down on the street if you want to go and have a look'. So Claire and I went down and stood by my hearse with a coffin inside, and my photo on the order of service, and everything in the back. It was quite freaky, but also quite fun as well." The soap star also said he was pleased to have been given such a memorable departure story. "I didn't insist, but I was really pleased when they said it was going to be a big exit – 'Lexit', I decided to call it," he joked. "I could have died in a chair in Gail's house, but instead it was a big send-off."
Les appeared on the ITV soap as Michael Rodwell from 2014 until 2016
Les is now gearing up for a brand new role, playing Uncle Fester in a touring production of The Addams Family. He is fully committed to the part. "In about three weeks, just before we go up to Edinburgh where we start, I'm going to shave my head," he revealed. "I tried the bald cap in rehearsals but it was hot and sweaty, so for eight times a week I thought, 'I’m going to shave my head.' Our director said, 'Do you want to check with your wife to make sure she's okay with that?' The kids were like, 'Oh no Daddy!' So Claire said, 'Why don't you do it for a charity?' So we are doing it for Breast Cancer Now – that way we are raising money and I'm shaving my head."