Corrie legend died penniless and on benefits after two decades on soap
Peter Adamson rose to fame over the years, but was particularly known for his role as Len Fairclough in Coronation Stree, and was on benefits at the time of his death
A Coronation Street actor died penniless on benefits after two decades on ITV soap, it has been reported. Peter Adamson died at the age of 72 in 2002 at his home in Bury.
He was known for playing the role of Len Fairclough in the iconic show. It has been said that he was a "virtual recluse" in the last few years of his life as a result of his acting career coming to an end in the 1980s.
Peter starred in a huge 1,730 episodes of Coronation Street during his 22-year stint, which took place from 1961 until 1983. This was his last acting job as he was then accused of indecently assaulting two eight-year-old girls at Haslingden Baths, where he worked as a swimming instructor the same year.
He was acquitted of the charges at Burnley Crown Court. While drunk, he was allegedly persuaded to change his story and is alleged to have said in an interview: "I am totally guilty of everything the police said... But what I hope you will print – there was no sexual intent."
He was paid £110,000 for the interview. But Lincolnshire Police later re-interviewed Adamson, who denied the confession. The reporter in question said he had "mislaid" the interview tapes, and the police took no further action. He was immediately sacked by ITV bosses and written out of the soap.
The actor left to start a new life in Canada to start a new life but soon came back to the UK and was declared bankrupt in 1991. Upon his return, he had to live in a rented flat and relied on benefits as he was unable to find work.
While he was on Corrie, he was paid £10,000 a year, which is around £190,000 in today's money. Peter was still receiving benefits when he died, but he had financial issues more than once in his life.
It was said that the actor heavily drank while he worked and owed thousands to Inland Revenue by the late 1960s. He was then suspended from Coronation Street in 1969 due to his drinking.
The legal bill from his trial showed the financial issues he went through in his life. Things got even worse for the actor after the trial, as his wife Jean died shortly after.
Peter managed to add some final acting roles to his list, which included radio work and a West End production of Dial M for Murder. He also had a stint in Vanburgh's The Relapse in 1988. The star left behind two sons when he passed away in 2002.
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