Coronation Street’s Kevin Kennedy admits to being drunk on set: ‘I was going to die’

The 55-year-old played the lovable Curly Watts for over 20 years in the Coronation Street, but off camera his life was falling to pieces.

“I was known as a maintenance drinker, I maintained a regular feeling of being drunk throughout the day,” he told Susanna Reid, 46, and Ben Shephard, 42.

“A balance is hard to find. If I drank too much then it was visible, but if I did not drink I’d go into detox, so yeah, I always had a drink near.”

Kennedy confessed that he often thought his addiction was going to kill him, but when he realised that his life was under threat, he knew he had to take action.

ITV

Kevin Kennedy admits to drinking on Coronation Street set

I was grieving drink because I had a long and successful relationship with it

Coronation Street's Kevin Kennedy

“There were many times that I hit rock bottom but with this disease it’s all about denial,” he continued. “I’d say I was never going to do that again but three days later and suddenly the disease hits you and you want to drink again.

“I’d always find an excuse to go back drinking.”

Thankfully, Kennedy is now 18 years sober after finding a moment of “clarity”.

ITV

Kevin appeared on Good Morning Britain to promote awareness of alcoholism

ITV

Kevin starred as Coronation Street's lovelorn Curly Watts for over 20 years

“I realised if I was going to carry on drinking I was going to die and from that moment on I decided to do something about it,” he said. “I was grieving drink because I had a long and successful relationship with it. But I knew I was going to die.”

Kennedy’s brave confession comes as statistics revealed that over 60 people are dying of alcohol related illnesses every day in the United Kingdom.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.

Original Article