TV star admits alcoholism

For 20 years Coronation Street's Bruce Jones (Les Battersby)...

17:33 22 March 2010

Ex-Coronation Street star Bruce Jones is determined to spend six months in rehab after admitting that he has a severe drinking problem.

The actor, best known for playing layabout Les Battersby on the ITV soap for 10 years before he got fired, confessed his alcoholism last week after pleading guilty to dangerous driving at Mold Crown Court.

Jones had drunkenly grabbing the wheel of his wife's car while she was driving and threatening to kill them both.

He revealed all in an exclusive with The Mirror, in which he stated: "I deserve absolutely no sympathy. I had everything most people dream of and I've blown the lot.

"I'm worried I've lost Sandra. I love her to bits. She's supported me through everything and I've treated her so badly. If I could turn the clock back, I would.

"She tells me some of the horrific things I've said to her when I've been drunk. She's told me about me throwing things at her and I have no recollection the next day.

"My four kids have all fallen out with me over the drinking. I'm worried I'm going to lose my family. It's vile, I hate myself because of it and I want to change. I'm checking into rehab for six months and I'm going to change my life or die trying."

Jones will be sentenced for dangerous driving and drunken driving next month.

The Corrie star is being aided by another actor from the show - Kevin Kennedy who played Curly Watts. Kennedy has had his own alcohol problems in the past but he been sober for 12 years.

Kennedy found Jones a place in rehab. He said: "Someone has got to be there for people when they decide enough is enough.

"Hopefully he is off to rehab pretty much straight away. Bruce's problem is pretty acute.

"I said 'I don't want to be stood over a hole in the ground looking at your coffin, because that is the next step for you. If you don't kill yourself, you will end up killing someone else'. I said to him 'I will point you the way, but the hard work has to come from you.'

"I think he has been sufficiently frightened by the depths to which he has sunk, to finally do something."