Bruce Jones, the actor who portrayed Les Battersby on Coronation Street, has opened up about his dramatic fall from grace after being fired from the ITV soap. Jones, now 73, joined the iconic show in 1997 as part of the original Battersby family, which included Les, Janice (Victoria Entwistle), Leanne (Jane Danson), and Toyah (Georgia Taylor). He made his final appearance in 2007.
The Axe That Changed Everything
In March 2007, Bruce was suspended from Coronation Street after reportedly getting drunk with an undercover journalist. He was subsequently written out of the show, triggering a period of depression and alcohol abuse. By 2015, he was relying on benefits to survive.
Reflecting on his mental health struggles, Bruce admitted he didn't recognize his depression at the time. He told The Sun: "I didn’t know I had depression. I just felt bad. A friend came in because he was worried about me. I’d been in my pyjamas for four days. I never moved."
Financial Ruin
Bruce had amassed a £1 million fortune during his time on the soap, but it all disappeared. He lost his Cheshire home and a bungalow in North Wales to repossession, eventually living in a caravan. "It’s a hell of a comedown. I was mobbed by people coming up to ask for my autograph. I had a good job, nice car, houses, the best holidays. It all went," he said.
Claiming benefits was particularly humiliating because of his fame. "Being on Corrie it was much worse claiming benefits as people recognised me in the Job Centre. It was embarrassing and though nobody said anything to me, I knew that I was instantly recognisable and the Job Centre wasn’t really the place I wanted to be."
Turning His Life Around
Bruce made his professional wrestling debut in 2021 and has since rebuilt his life, returning to live in his own home. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the volatility of fame and the importance of mental health support.
