Michael Le Vell innocence 'never doubted by Corrie castmates'

Michael Le Vell's innocence was never once questioned by his Coronation Street castmates after he was accused of child abuse, reports say.

The actor, who was cleared of the allegation yesterday, apparently received the full backing of his colleagues on the Weatherfield serial after he was arrested in September.

"There was never any doubt of Michael's innocence in the eyes of the cast and crew," a source told The Sun.

"Bosses took a big risk because the damage to the reputation of Coronation Street would have been huge had he been charged.

"But they stood by their man and they, and him, have been vindicated."

Meanwhile, Le Vell was apparently overheard telling a fellow actor: "Mud sticks, doesn't it? There will always be people whispering behind my back.

"All I can do is move on. My friends and the people who care about me most know I am an innocent man."

Le Vell has played Kevin Webster in Coronation Street since 1983.

Kym Marsh, who stars as Michelle Connor on the soap, tweeted: "Fantastic news about Michael Le Vell having all charges dropped! I hope they make as much of this news as they did about condemning him."

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