Ex-Corrie star Jones reveals cancer fears

Former Coronation Street actor Bruce Jones has revealed his fears that he may have an incurable cancer.

The actor, who played Les Battersby in the ITV soap, is concerned that he may have contracted the asbestos-related mesothelioma while working as a heating engineer.

Jones's close friend John Willet, 57, has been diagnosed with the illness. Symptoms of the illness can sometimes not surface for 25 years, and the 56-year-old ex-soap star is concerned he may also have contracted the disease.

"I never thought about it and didn't know much about it until I spoke to John, who is an amazing guy," he told the Manchester Evening News. "We worked in the same industry and were never told how dangerous asbestos was.

"I've been given the all-clear after medicals and all I can do is hope. But I never know because it takes so long to detect and I hope I don't end up like John.

"Not enough is being spent on research and if the government is willing to bail out the banks it should be prepared to fund it. Asbestos is still in buildings, schools, workplaces and people need to know the danger."