-‘I strenuously deny these allegations and will do everything in my power to prove my innocence’
By Jaya Narain
A teenager has accused Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell of raping her when she was six years old.
Mr Le Vell, 46, who has played mechanic Kevin Webster in the soap for 28 years, has reportedly been left reeling from the accusations.
He is currently out on bail until November 16 on the condition he does not approach the girl after being arrested on September 30.
Michael Le Vell is married to his childhood sweetheart Janette Beverley, 45, an actress who starred in the TV show Children's Ward in the 1990sThe alleged victim lodged a complaint on September 29 via a video interview. Mr Le Vell was arrested on suspicion the next day at 8am at his £750,000 home under his real name, Michael Turner.
The actor was taken to a police station and questioned by detectives for almost eight hours.
The father of two vowed to do ‘everything in his power’ to clear his name.
In a statement, he said: ‘I strenuously deny these allegations and will do everything in my power to prove my innocence.’
Mr Le Vell is married to his childhood sweetheart Janette Beverley, 45, an actress who starred in the TV show Children’s Ward in the 1990s.
He was said to be distraught and horrified by the accusations.
A friend said: ‘This has left him shattered. It came completely out of the blue. The police just arrived at his home at breakfast time, told him of the allegations and arrested him on the spot. He was extremely shocked.
‘He was taken down to the police station like a criminal and was horrified by the whole thing. It has left him distraught and upset and he looks really, really drained.
‘He holds quite strict moral opinions so the arrest is even more shocking for his friends to understand.’
On the day of his arrest last Friday at his home in Hale, Cheshire, Le Vell wrote on Twitter: ‘Afternoon all! Hope you had a good day in the sunshine. I’m lost for words at this moment in time, talk soon.’
He is one of the longest-serving actors in Coronation Street and his character has been at the heart of some of its most dramatic storylines.
The actor, who had previously booked this week off as a holiday, is due to return to filming on Monday.
Last night he was believed to be with his legal team. A spokesman for ITV said: ‘We are aware an allegation has been made. Given there is a police investigation under way, it would not be appropriate to comment further.’
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: ‘A 46-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of an historic sexual offence.
'He has been bailed by police until November 16, pending further inquiries. The report was made to police on Thursday September 29, 2011.’
source:dailymail
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