ITV bosses have offered Michael Le Vell a six-figure sum to renew his contract with Coronation Street.
The 51-year-old actor, who has played mechanic Kevin Webster since October 1983, is said to be "over-the-moon" that he will be receiving a £150,000 contract that will take him up to the end of 2016. There is also talk of exciting new storylines in the offing.
An insider said: "No one is ever safe in soaps, but the bosses have been impressed with Michael’s professionalism in tackling his problems head-on and dealing with them." This follows a previous break from the show while the actor was in rehab for alcohol-related issues. He’s now claimed to be looking ahead to the future with new optimism.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Michael really does now feel that the worst of his problems are behind him. Sure, he had a drink to toast New Year but there is no way he will return to the bad old days. He knows he has too much to lose."
Michael’s character Kevin has had an equally turbulent life. He’s been twice married to - and divorced by - Sally; his second wife, Alison Wakefield, took her own life after their son Jake died; and he had affairs with Natalie Horrocks and later Molly Dobbs, the young wife of his garage co-owner and friend Tyrone, with whom he had another son Jack, born in 2010. Molly, of course, met a grim end in the tragic tram crash, but not before confessing all to a shocked Sally.
More recently, Kev's shared a kiss with Anna Windass, but rumours suggest the pair’s fledgling romance will be tested by the reappearance on the Street of odious Pat Phelan.
Coronation Street continues on ITV on Monday at 7.30pm
