Coronation Street’s Kevin Kennedy admits playing awkward Curly Watts made downbeat men feel BETTER about their love lives
Coronation Street star Kevin Kennedy has admitted his comedic character Curly Watts was a welcome relief for men struggling with a disastrous love life.
Reflecting on his 20-year stint on the soap, the actor, 59, confessed his character was created to help men feel better about themselves, after Curly battled a disastrous love life including his ill-fated marriage to Raquel Wolstenhulme.
Kevin – who left the soap in 2003 after Curly married for the second time – also revealed when he first landed the role he didn’t realise the important of starring in such a huge soap until he headed to the benefits office.
‘At least I’m not him!’ Coronation Street star Kevin Kennedy has admitted his comedic character Curly Watts was a welcome relief for men struggling with a disastrous love life
Speaking to The Sun ahead of Corrie’s 60th Anniversary, Kevin admitted he know Curly was created by bosses to inspire downbeat men.
He said: ‘My job playing Curly in the Eighties and Nineties was to make the male population feel better about themselves.
‘They could say, ‘OK, this has happened to me, that’s happened, but at least I’m not him’.’
Chaotic: The actor confessed his character helped men feel better about themselves, after Curly battled a disastrous love life including his ill-fated marriage to Raquel Wolstenhulme
He first set foot on the cobbles in 1983 as a young binman, and soon became a fan favourite thanks to his own struggles to find love, as well as his hilarious scenes with Jack and Vera Duckworth.
Kevin also admitted that despite growing up in Manchester he didn’t realise Corrie’s vast importance until he went to sign on during a break from work, and sparked a huge commotion when he revealed he was starring on the legendary soap.
He also confessed that his character didn’t do much to help his love life off-screen; he resides in Brighton with wife Clare and their daughters Katie, 16, and Grace, 14, and he also has son Ryan, 29, from a previous relationship.
‘My luck with women was pretty dire. My sort of fan base was old ladies and children — and ladies with some sort of sight impediment,’ Kevin said.
Funny: Kevin joined the Corrie cast in 1983 as the hapless Curly Watts, and became a fan favourite thanks to his disastrous love life and relationship with the Duckworths
Curly became a fan favourite thanks to his turbulent relationship with Raquel (Sarah Lancashire) , which eventually led the pair to marry despite her feelings for Des Barnes.
Within a year Raquel fled Weatherfield, but briefly returned in 1999 to revealed she and Curly had a young daughter, and to ask him for a divorce.
Curly eventually found happiness with policewoman Emma Taylor and they left the Street in 2003 for a new life together.
Challenges: Kevin also admitted that Corrie helped to save his life when bosses sent him to The Priory in 1998 for alcohol addiction (pictured in 1993)
Kevin also admitted that Corrie helped to save his life when bosses sent him to The Priory in 1998 for alcohol addiction.
He has been sober ever since, and returned to the soap six months later.
Since leaving Corrie Kevin has starred in musicals including Chitty Chitty Bang Band and Rock Of Ages, and had been due to tour the show before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Despite a lengthy absence Kevin said he’d be open to reprising his role as Curly, but is focused on his work in theatre and the charity he’s set up with his wife Clare.
Return? Despite a lengthy absence Kevin said he’d be open to reprising his role as Curly, but is focused on his work in theatre and the charity he’s set up with his wife Clare (pictured 1991)