Michael Le Vell has played mechanic Kevin Webster in Coronation Street since 1983.
Over the years, Virgin Media viewers have watched him star in memorable storylines such as his relationship, marriage and subsequent divorce with Sally, his affairs with Natalie Horrocks and Molly Dobbs (the latter of which resulted in the birth of his illegitimate son Jack) and his romance with Jenny Bradley which ended in 2015 when she kidnapped Jack.
More recent storylines have focused on him caring for Jack after he was diagnosed with sepsis, requiring foot amputation, and his relationship and marriage to new mum Abi Franklin
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The actor made his debut on the soap after a casting director made a mistake which led to him landing the role.
The show has played a huge part in his life as he met his first wife on set back in the 1980s.
How old is Michael and where is he from?
Michael was born on 15 December 1964, making him 57 years old.
He is originally from Newton Heath in Manchester and was given the name Michael Robert Turner.
The Corrie star suffered some early family tragedy, losing his mum at the age of 15 when she passed away from a brain tumour.
His father died a few years later due to lung cancer, when Michael was 22 years old.
When did Michael join Coronation Street?
Michael began his acting career after studying in the Oldham Theatre Workshop.
Kevin wasn’t his first appearance on Coronation Street as he had a guest role before taking over the long-time character. He played a paperboy named Neil Grimshaw.
During an audition for the series Scully at Granada Studios, Michael was mistaken by a casting director named Judy Hayfield.
She assumed that he was there to audition for Coronation Street and asked him to come back the following day to try out for a role.
Gay icon status
During the 1980s, Michael gained status as a gay icon because he wore tight jeans and had a moustache.
He says he received a high volume of fan mail from gay fans.
He later stated that his gay following diminished after he shaved off his moustache.
His following resurfaced in 2005 after photos of him dressed as a woman for charity appeared in the Daily Mirror newspaper.
Is Michael married?
No, Michael is currently not married. He and his wife, Janette Beverley, announced their divorce in 2011 after 25 years together.
The former couple first met on the set of Corrie in 1984. She played Elaine Pollard, a young girl who went on several dates with Curly Watts.
Michael and Janette tied the knot in October 1986 and later welcomed their two children.
Their daughter, Amelia Turned, was born in 1993 which makes her 29 years old. The couple’s son, Finlay, was born in 1996 which makes him 26 years old.
Is Michael currently single?
No, Michael began dating Louise Gibbons back in 2014.
The Kevin Webster actor got down on one knee in 2017 and proposed to his girlfriend. However, the couple have not made any announcement about their wedding plans.
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