Coronation Street's Bruce Jones 'can't watch' soap as he hits out at storylines – after Les Battersby axe
Bruce Jones has revealed that he can't watch Coronation Street. It was revealed earlier this week that the 71-year-old actor's alter ego Les Battersby will die off-screen, but he has hit out at the ITV soap that he starred in from 1997 until 2007.
Bruce told GB News: "I had no time when I was there to watch it, because I was in it. But I sat and watched Corrie with my wife 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.
"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.' He added: "So no, I'm sorry I couldn't watch it. I went out and I made a cup of coffee."
READ MORE:Strictly star Shayne Ward celebrates birthday with famous fiancee - and fans can't believe his age
READ MORE:Heartbeat's Nick Berry unrecognisable 25 years after quitting fame to be stay-at-home dad
Bruce admits that he feels a sense of relief about his character's death, even though he claims that the move has left fans "annoyed" with bosses on the ITV soap.
He said: "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.'
"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.
"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.'
"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."
Sign up to OK!'s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
On the cobbles, Les was famously married to Janice Battersby (Vicky Entwistle) and was father to Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) with her, as well as stepfather to Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor).
Their marriage came to an end in 2001 when it was revealed that Janice had been having an affair with Dennis Stringer (Charles Dean) in 2001 and he later tied the knot with Cilla Brown (Wendi Peters).
Bruce was suspended from the show in March 2007 following an allegation of drunkenness with an undercover journalist. Two months later, it was confirmed Bruce wouldn't be returning as Les and the character later moved from Weatherfield to Dublin.
