Coronation Street’s Bruce Jones was pictured for the first time on Saturday since revealing his character was axed by ITV via email.
The actor, 71, became a household name after arriving on the cobbles as foul-mouthed Les, head of the equally uncouth Battersby family – wife Janice and their troublesome teenage daughters, Leanne and Toyah – in 1997.
Heading out with his wife Sandra this weekend, Bruce enjoyed a spot of shopping in Wales, where he was recognised by a fan.
He wore a black turtle neck jumper with a sherpa lined denim jacket and jeans for the outing.
Bruce flashed a smile after being stopped by a woman outside the shop and posed for a quick photo.
Coronation Street’s Bruce Jones was pictured for the first time on Saturday since his character was axed by ITV
The actor, 71, enjoyed a spot of shopping in Wales, where he was recognised by a fan
Though the character has remained popular with fans over the years with many urging for him to make a comeback, it was revealed last week that Les was being killed off away from screens – with Bruce being informed of the news by email.
Now in a new interview, the ex soap star told how bosses have said sorry for the way in which they broke the news, with Bruce also revealing he can now no longer watch Corrie.
Speaking to GB News, Bruce shared: ‘I got an email from the casting office saying, Dear Mr Jones, I am sorry to inform you Les Battersby will die in the next few months.
‘I read the email and thought, why send me an email like that? Why call me Mr. Jones? Why not call me Bruce?
‘That annoyed me a little bit, but then I felt relieved. Maybe it’s time for me to go now.’
Bruce went on to say that fans are ‘not happy’ with the news of Les’ permanent exit, though he admitted that it’s a ‘relief’ to say a final goodbye to his alter-ego.
He explained: ‘I’ve been out in the streets in the last few days shopping, and I went to watch some football. I went to watch Manchester City on Sunday and people come up to say, “This is ridiculous. They should keep you in.”
‘But it’s their decision. It’s not mine. I’ve got no problems with Coronation Street. I had ten great years with them, but they (the viewers) are pretty annoyed about it. I say, ‘There’s no point having a go at me, it’s not my fault.’
Bruce became a household name after arriving on the cobbles as foul-mouthed Les, head of the equally uncouth Battersby family – wife Janice (pictured) and their troublesome teenage daughters, Leanne and Toyah – in 1997
He wore a black turtle neck jumper with a sherpa lined denim jacket and jeans for the outing
‘I’m sad in one way, but I’m relieved in another. I mean, it’s time to let go now, and I’m quite pleased with that,’ he added.
‘The fans are not happy and all that, people are pulling me in the street saying, “We’re not watching it. We’re watching classic.” And I’m getting the feedback from these people who were pretty annoyed about it; people who love Les.
‘But it’s their decision. It’s their show.’
Meanwhile, as Bruce claimed that fans were switching off because of the news, he went on to tell how he too no longer tunes into the soap, having walked out the room when his wife was watching it recently.
He said: ‘At the weekend my wife said, “I’m gonna watch Emmerdale”. But I don’t watch soaps. I was 10 years in one and I was in Heartbeat and lots of shows, but I don’t watch soaps.
‘I had no time when I was there to watch it, because I was in it. But I sat and watched Corrie with her on Monday night, and at the end of part one of that show I walked out the room and I didn’t go back until I heard the music at the end. I just couldn’t watch it.’
In a new interview, the ex soap star told how bosses have said sorry for the way in which they broke the news, with Bruce also revealing he can now no longer watch Corrie
Speaking to GB New s, Bruce shared: ‘I got an email from the casting office saying, Dear Mr Jones, I am sorry to inform you Les Battersby will die in the next few months’ (pictured in 1997)
Bruce continued: ‘Where were the storylines? There was no comedy. My wife said to me when I came back, “Why did you go out?” I said, “Sandra, that is not a show I was in. That was not the show I spent 10 years in.”
‘So no, I’m sorry I couldn’t watch it. I went out and I made a cup of coffee.’
Recalling his time on the iconic soap, Bruce concluded: ‘I love acting and I love working with VIcky Entwistle and the two girls. We actually became a unit. I think the only mistake in my mind that we ever made was splitting Les and Janice. They should never split Les and Janice. I think that was the end of the Battersbys when that happened.
‘But at least I’ve had an apology from the press office for [telling me by email] which I’m grateful for.’
