Kennedy: 'Corrie return rumour untrue'

Rex Features

Kevin Kennedy has played down rumours that he will return to Coronation Street next year.

Earlier today, a tabloid reported that Kennedy was poised to make a "shock comeback" as Curly Watts for the ITV1 soap's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2010.

The speculation came after the actor confirmed that he would like to reprise the role for the programme's milestone.

However, speaking to BBC London 94.9FM's breakfast show, Kennedy insisted: "The thing is, like any kind of weird sort of wonderful situation, you work for a big company like the BBC and what have you and it's like the actor or presenter is probably the last person to know what's going on!

"The press seem to know more than I do anyway. There's rumours flying - every three months there's something asking if I'm going back but at the moment, to be honest with you, no-one's said anything to me so I can only tell you that, unfortunately, it's not true as far as I know."

Kennedy went on to confirm that Curly returning to Weatherfield after a stint in jail is one idea which was "floated around" for the character in the past. He also revealed that he would "love" to be back in the programme.

Curly was last seen in 2003 when he left the Street with wife Emma (Angela Lonsdale) and son Ben.