'Coronation Street' suspends Bruce Jones

Coronation Street bosses today suspended actor Bruce Jones from the soap following allegations in a Sunday newspaper.

The 54-year-old actor, who plays layabout Les Battersby in the Weatherfield soap, denies claims by the tabloid that he was drunk while with an undercover reporter and made inappropriate comments in a public place.

An official statement read: "Mr Jones has been suspended whilst ITV investigates the allegations made in the News of the World article.

"ITV takes these allegations very seriously and will be looking into them further."

Bruce, who has played Les Battersby for 10 years, is understood to be seeking legal advice about the newspaper article.