I might go have a drink: ‘Corrie’ actor after being cleared of abuse charges

Joyful Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell said he was looking forward to a drink after he was cleared of child abuse charges.

The 48-year-old mouthed the words “thank you” to the jury of eight women and four men who dismissed a string of allegations made by his accuser, who claimed she had been raped and abused while a young girl.

Le Vell kept his emotions in check as his family members in the public gallery wept, as one by one, not guilty verdicts on the 12 counts were delivered but the strain of the seven-day trial was apparent as he appeared drained when he left the dock.