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Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
ITV Coronation Street star died broke and on benefits despite 22-year soap stint
Peter Adamson was a very well known face to ITV viewers for many years but died penniless and on benefits. A Coronation Street actor died penniless and on benefits despite starring on the ITV show for two decades, according to reports. Peter Adamson was known to fans of the long-running ITV soap as Len Fairclough. He first appeared on Coronation Street in 1961 and would go on to remain there until 1983, a 22-year stint, racking up 1,730 episodes. Peter spent his final years as a 'virtual recluse' after his acting career ended in the 80s. When he passed away at the age of 72 at his home in Bury, he was close to the breadline. Coronation Street was Peter's last acting job as he was then accused of indecently assaulting two eight-year-old girls at Haslingden Baths, where he was working as a part-time swimming instructor. He was acquitted of the charges at Burnley Crown Court but then went on to sell a number of 'inside stories' to the press in a bid to clear his £120k legal bill, reports the Mirror. He would claim that during one, while he was drunk, he was persuaded to change his story. He was alleged to have said to one journalist: "I am totally guilty of everything the police said... But what I hope you will print – there was no sexual intent." After he was reinterviewed by police over the 'confession', which Adamson denied, no further action was taken when the reporter in question said he had "mislaid" the tapes. However, Adamson was instantly axed by Corrie bosses, losing his £10,000 a year salary, around £190,000 in today's money. Len Fairclough was killed in a motorway accident after apparently visiting a mistress to ensure no viewer sympathy. Adamson went to Canada to start a new life but came back to the UK shortly after and was declared bankrupt in 1991. With no cash coming in, he lived in a rented flat and relied on benefits as he was unable to find work. He did have some roles on radio and in a West End production of Dial M for Murder, as well as a stint in Vanburgh's The Relapse in 1988. When he died penniless, it wasn't the first time he had been facing financial issues, as was revealed in legal documents during his trial. The actor, who was reported to be a "hellraiser" and a heavy drinker throughout his working life, owed thousands to the Inland Revenue by the late 1960s. He'd also been suspended from Coronation Street in 1969 due to his drinking. Adamson's wife Jean died soon after his court appearance. The actor left behind two sons when he passed away in 2002. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Edinburgh Live
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Coronation Street star died on benefits as 'virtual recluse' after acting career
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Len Fairclough actor from Coronation Street, Peter Adamson, passed away at 72 in his Bury home back in 2002, living as a "virtual recluse" after his acting career ended in the '80s. He had famously played Len for 1,730 episodes on Corrie, from 1961 until 1983, marking the end of his acting endeavours when he faced accusations of indecently assaulting two eight year old girls while working as a swimming instructor at Haslingden Baths. Though cleared of charges at Burnley Crown Court, his subsequent actions caused controversy with ITV authorities. Adamson sold his story to The Sun during a period of intoxication and seemed to confess in a garbled discussion. His interview included: "I am totally guilty of everything the police said. But what I hope you will print - there was no sexual intent." READ MORE - Princess Diana's nickname for Harry and why she thought 'he'd be a better king' READ MORE - World's 'friendliest country' to make tourists pay more than locals in restaurants He received £110,000 for the exposé. This marked the downturn of Adamson's fortunes, culminating in his dismissal from the television network, his exit from the soap, and an unsuccessful attempt to reinvent himself in Canada before facing bankruptcy in 1991, reports the Express. (Image: ITV) (Image: Getty) Once enjoying a yearly Corrie wage of £10,000—roughly £190,000 today—he eventually fell into a modest life in rented accommodation, resorting to state benefits when acting roles dried up. Adamson passed away whilst on benefits, but this wasn't his first brush with financial strife. The actor was known for his heavy drinking on set and by the late 1960s, he had racked up a hefty debt to Inland Revenue, leading to his suspension from Corrie in 1969 due to his alcoholism. The legal costs from his trial only added to his financial troubles, and when his wife Jean passed away shortly after the trial, Adamson's situation deteriorated further. His final roles included radio acting gigs and a West End performance in Dial M for Murder, as well as a role in Vanburgh's The Relapse in 1988. The actor left behind two sons when he passed away in 2002.
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
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.
