Coronation Street legend Bruce Jones accuses ITV bosses of ignoring public demand by killing off Les Battersby – as former star claims show is in decline and fans believe the ‘street is dead’

Coronation Street legend Bruce Jones accuses ITV bosses of ignoring public demand by killing off Les Battersby - as former star claims show is in decline and fans believe the 'street is dead'

As a die-hard Coronation Street fan, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness and nostalgia as I read about Bruce Jones’ departure from the show. The man who brought Les Battersby to life was not just an actor, he was a part of our living room family for over two decades.


Previously renowned Coronation Street actor Bruce Jones claims that the series disregarded popular desire by eliminating his iconic character, Les Battersby – a move he learned about through an email instead of a personal conversation.

In 1997, Jones, who was then 71 years old, gained widespread recognition when he joined the cast as the rough-talking Les, patriarch of the unrefined Battersby family, which included his wife Janice, along with their difficult teenage daughters Leanne and Toyah.

However, his reputation took a dramatic hit when an undercover journalist caught him on camera degrading fans and exposing confidential storylines while intoxicated in public.

In 2007, bosses took immediate action, suspending Jones from the premises. This happened a decade after he first joined us, and since then, he has not returned to our cobblestone grounds.

Currently, after giving his first interview since learning that the series’ door will remain shut for Les, the actor has voiced disapproval towards the show, asserting that it overlooked the public’s wishes. He also suggests that the audience has shared their opinion with him, expressing concern about a significant drop in the show’s quality.

Coronation Street legend Bruce Jones accuses ITV bosses of ignoring public demand by killing off Les Battersby - as former star claims show is in decline and fans believe the 'street is dead'

Coronation Street legend Bruce Jones accuses ITV bosses of ignoring public demand by killing off Les Battersby - as former star claims show is in decline and fans believe the 'street is dead'

Jones informed TopMob that his superiors had emailed him around two weeks back, providing an update on the situation, when he learned about Les’ departure.

Instead of continuing to play alongside him after a decade, I now feel a sense of finality. Perhaps this decision will put an end to the constant inquiries about my potential return.

The public is eager for my return, yet this may put an end to my appearances at malls and other locations. While I’m happy about the comeback, I’m also saddened by leaving behind a role I played for a decade. I am thankful for the experiences that street provided me with.

He added: ‘I went out the other day and people asked four times that day, “when are you coming back? The street is dead.”‘ 

Jones expresses a blend of emotions regarding the choice, and ponders how boisterous Les might adapt to contemporary soap opera settings, should he ever come back.

After experiencing a sense of relief, I soon found myself feeling sad. Then, my mind wandered, pondering questions like, “Where might he return to if he did come back? What path would he take to get there? How would his adventures unfold once more?” This left me curious about the potential storylines awaiting him.

‘I don’t think they could really do that much with him, which is a shame.’

Jones anticipates that hardcore fans may respond negatively to learning about the demise of his iconic character, and it’s possible that some may even decide to stop tuning in to the series.

Coronation Street legend Bruce Jones accuses ITV bosses of ignoring public demand by killing off Les Battersby - as former star claims show is in decline and fans believe the 'street is dead'
Coronation Street legend Bruce Jones accuses ITV bosses of ignoring public demand by killing off Les Battersby - as former star claims show is in decline and fans believe the 'street is dead'

He mentioned that the response might seem unusual initially, but once it becomes familiar, it will be.

Some individuals might feel deeply distressed and frustrated, while others may respond with, “You served your sentence, it was time for release. Still, you’re on our classic station, so we have lasting memories of you there, which is acceptable.

Many individuals might express disinterest in rewatching the show, as they are fans of the original episodes.

As a dedicated fan, I can barely contain my excitement, always on tenterhooks, eagerly anticipating the day when the news will break. Whether I’m out shopping or catching up with friends at a football match, that moment will be bittersweet. It’ll be a time of shared sorrow as we collectively bid farewell to something we all cherished deeply. I may not actively watch it, but its absence will leave an indelible mark on us all.

The message you received is, “I no longer watch it, perhaps you should return.” However, I won’t be returning. Les was quite popular among viewers. I’m eagerly anticipating the response I’ll get, and I can’t wait to see how Coronation Street fares with the audience as well.

From my perspective as a lifestyle enthusiast, I can’t help but anticipate a substantial response to this, yet for me, that’s where Les comes to an end. Playing the role of Les was a delightful journey, but now it’s time to move forward and discover what new experiences await.

Coronation Street legend Bruce Jones accuses ITV bosses of ignoring public demand by killing off Les Battersby - as former star claims show is in decline and fans believe the 'street is dead'
Coronation Street legend Bruce Jones accuses ITV bosses of ignoring public demand by killing off Les Battersby - as former star claims show is in decline and fans believe the 'street is dead'

Despite a decline in his television career over the past few years, and having admitted in 2015 that he was living on benefits following the squandering of his £1 million fortune, Jones maintains that he harbors absolutely no ill feelings towards the show.

He stated, “For a span of ten years, I created an extraordinary character that resonated greatly with everyone. Now, I hope they achieve immense success everywhere.

The well-known actor no longer watches the program that catapulted him to stardom, yet he remains optimistic that it will continue indefinitely, even though there seems to be a decline in its current popularity.

He said: ‘I’d rather watch good documentaries. I tend to read a lot rather than watch TV a lot. I didn’t get much chance to watch it when I was in it, because we were always working. 

I disregard those who focus on its negatives. Regardless, Coronation Street remains a constant. Instead, we tend to prefer timeless classics over it.

I haven’t seen it, so I’m unable to comment on it, and that’s quite unfortunate. I feel like I ought to see it, but the associated memories are overwhelming, so I prefer to avoid it.

Read More

2024-10-20 18:49

Previous post WiC Weekly: October 13-19, 2024